
/• 




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Book 



Gop}iight}^' 



.10 



COPKKIGHT DEPOSIT. 



SELECTION 

OF 

SERMONS 



BY 

SAMUEL LAIRD, D.D. 

(I 



**He being dead yet speaketh" 



PHILADELPHIA 
GENERAL COUNCIL PUBLICATION HOUSE 

I914 






Copyright, 1914 
By MRS. S. LAIRD 



JAN 14 1915 

©Cf.A393263 



INTRODUCTION 



To those who knew Dr. Laird as a preacher, 
a eatechist, a pastor, a leader in the Church, 
and a man among men, the sermons that ap- 
pear in this book have an added value. It is 
not only what is being preached, but also what 
the preacher himself is that enters into the 
estimate of a sermon; for what is a sermon 
other than the Gospel seeking utterance through 
a personality whom it has inspired and trans- 
formed? My acquaintance with the author of 
these sermons dates back to my seminary days 
in the early eighties, when I frequently lis- 
tened to his preaching and occasionally at- 
tended his catechetical lectures. He was then 
in the vigor of his manhood and one of the 
leading pulpit lights in the city of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Laird belonged to a group of stalwart 
preachers and leaders whose influence could 
not be confined to a congregation or a city or a 
synod. Among them were numbered such men 
as Krauth, Krotel, Mann, Spaeth, the Schaef- 
fers, Schmucker, Seiss, Greenwald, Passavant. 
They rose into prominence at a time when Lu- 
theranism in its English form was passing 
through a crisis because it had in large meas- 

• • • 

ui 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

ure forgotten the rock whence it was hewn and 
the pit whence it was digged. Though his mod- 
esty forbade him to assume the role of leader 
in the controversy which preceded and followed 
the organization of the General Council in 1867, 
he was a staunch defender of the principles 
for which it stood. He was wont to speak with 
much admiration of the men who bore the 
brunt of the battle, and more than once char- 
acterized them with the brief sentence, ** There 
were giants in those days,'' not once thinking 
that he was one among them. 

Dr. Laird's position and influence in the 
Church at large are best indicated by recounting 
the responsibilities that were entrusted to him. 
For seven successive years, beginnng with 1870, 
he was secretary of the General Council. He, 
together with Dr. Seiss, shaped the policy of 
the English Home Mission Board of the Gen- 
eral Council from the very beginning. There 
never was a more powerful leadership in any 
General Council board. He was president of 
the Pittsburgh Synod, when serving the First 
Church in Pittsburgh as pastor, and president 
of the Pennsylvania Ministerium, when pastor 
of St. Mark's, Philadelphia. His fine legal 
mind (for he had studied law two years before 
he reached his decision to enter the ministry) 
made him a valuable member of the Board of 
Trustees of Muhlenberg College, and of the 
Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Semi- 
nary, whose treasurer he was for a number of 



INTRODUCTION. V 

years. He would have graced a judge's bench 
with signal dignity and strength had he entered 
the legal profession, according to the opinion 
of a Philadelphia judge. His exceptional keen- 
ness and masterly analysis of crucial situations 
were in evidence on many occasions, and he was 
capable of making a convincing argument such 
as compelled respect and admiration even 
among those who took the opposite side. He 
was abundantly able to write forcibly, and in 
clear, clean-cut English, but very little issued 
from his pen that found its way into Church 
papers or magazines because of his aversion 
to seeing his writings in public print. He was 
a man of reserve and polish and dignity, and 
well qualified to act as the Church's repre- 
sentative in any capacity. In 1901, he was sent 
as delegate of the General Council to the Gen- 
eral Conference of Lutherans held at Lund^ 
Sweden. Besides the positions of trust and 
honor held by him, as already mentioned, he 
was for years a Trustee of the German Hospi- 
tal, and a Director of the Mary J. Drexel Home 
and Motherhouse of Deaconesses, in Philadel- 
phia. 

Dr. Laird's gifts as preacher and pastor, and 
as moulder of the congregational life were of 
a high order. He prepared his sermons with 
care and delivered them with force. In all the 
parishes he served, he won the respect and con- 
fidence of his people to an unusual degree. He 
was a man of large vision and broad sympa- 
thies, and these qualities were reflected in the 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

people whom lie served. His pastorate of thir- 
ty-five years in St. Mark's, Philadelphia, left 
an indelible impress on the congregation 
which has distinguished itself as one of the few 
whose range of interests is as wide as the Lu- 
theran Church. 

Dr. Laird was born in Newcastle County, 
Delaware, February 7, 1835; in early life his 
parents moved to Philadelphia, where he was 
educated; he graduated from the High School 
in 1852 and from the University of Pennsylva- 
nia in 1855; he was prepared for the ministry 
by leading local pastors and was ordained in 
lS61, when he took charge of St. Luke 's, Phila- 
delphia, which he served three years; in 1864, 
he was called to Trinity Church, Lancaster, Pa., 
and three years later to the First Church, Pitts- 
burgh, which he served twelve years; in 1879, 
he was called to St. Mark 's, Philadelphia, where 
he closed his long and distinguished pastoral 
career, departing this life December 16, 1913. 
He was married on April 27, 1865, to Miss Mary 
A. Baston, who proved to be a helpmeet en- 
tirely worthy of the distinguished name she 
afterwards bore. This volume of sermons is 
her tribute of love to the memory of one whose 
labors and responsibilities she so cheerfully, 
devotedly and intelligently shared. 

George W. Sandt. 



CONTENTS 



I. 

THE LOVE OF GOD. 
(Pp. 1-14) 

"God so lored the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
■whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting 
life."— John 3: 16. 

II. 

THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 
(Pp. 15-33) 

** Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is 
come to pass." — Luke 2: 15. 

III. 

JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 
(Pp. 34-51) 
Behold the man! — John 19: 5. 

IV. 

MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 

(Pp. 52-67) 
Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. — Matt. 11: 6. 

V. 

PALM SUNDAY. 

(Pp. 68-86) 

Luke 19: 28-40. 

vii 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

VI. 

CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 

(Pp. 87-95) 

••They crucified him."— Luke 23: 33. 

VII. 

THE RESURRECTION OP CHRIST. 

(Pp. 96-109) 

••The Lord is risen."— Luke 24: 34. 

VIII. 
• THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 

(Pp. 110-122) 

•'And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld he was 
taken up: and a cloud received him out of their sight." — Acts 1: 9. 

IX. 

THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 

(Pp. 123-139) 
••A glorious Church."— Eph. 5: 27. 

X. 

THE COMING OF CHRIST. 

(Pp. 140-156) 

••As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg- 
ment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto 
them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sins 
unto salvation."— Heb. 9: 27, 28. 



CONTENTS. IX 

XI. 

CHRIST'S COMING AND PREPARATION FOR IT. 

(Pp. 157-172) 

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the 
Son of man cometh." — Matt. 24: 44. 

XII. 

TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITNG FOR 

CHRIST. 

(Pp. 173-193) 

**For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we 
had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living 
and true God: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised 
from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to 
come."— 1 Thess. 1: 9-10. 

XIII. 

LIFE A GLEANING. 

(Pp. 194-210) 

<'Where hast thou gleaned to-day?"— Ruth 2: 19. 

XIV. 

ADVENT. 
(Pp. 211-226) 

"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, be- 
cause he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the 
kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A 
certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a king- 
dom, and to return. And he called his ten servants and delivered 
them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. ^^ — 
Luke 19: 11-13. 



X C0NTE2TTS. 

XV. 

THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

(Pp. 227-239) 
*« The field is the world."— Matt. 13: 38. 

XVI. 

QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 
(Pp. 240-247) 

**Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, 
Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, 
and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord 
draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be 
condemned: behold the judge standeth before the door. Take, my 
brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for 
an example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count 
them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and 
have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of 
tender mercy. " — James 5: 7-11. 

XVII. 

COMING TO CHRIST. 

(Pp. 248-262) 

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that 
Cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." — John 6: 37. 

XVIII. 

THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 
(Pp. 263-275) 

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he tha; 
hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and 
milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money 



CONTENTS. XI 

for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth 
not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and 
let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear and come uuta 
me: hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting 
covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." — Isaiah 55: 1-3. 

XIX. 

THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 
(Pp. 276-290) 

" And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was 
given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the 
witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not wor- 
shipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark 
upon their foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned 
with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not 
again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resur- 
rection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- 
tion."— Rev. 20: 4, 5. 

XX. 

A GREAT COjMMISSION. 

(Pp. 291-312) 

* ' Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of 
this life."— Acts 5: 20. 



J^l^t Hott^ of (^ah 

** God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting 
life."— John 3: 16. 

THERE are texts in the Bible wMch in- 
clude in themselves the very sum and 
marrow of the Gospel, which set forth in 
the space of a line or two the great fact and 
means of salvation, which concentrate, as it 
were, into a focus the leading truths which 
Christ came to make known. 

Such a text we have before us to-day. Here 
if anywhere is given to us a concise view of 
what God has done for sinners. And may the 
Spirit of Him who uttered these words aid us 
in our consideration of them. 

The theme of the text is the Love of God. 
And the exalted character of the theme you 
will perceive when you consider the Being who 
exercises this love. ^^God so loved the world.'* 
It is not some angelic being that is here spoken 
of. It is not merely some exalted royal per- 
sonage occupying a high throne among the 
principalities and powers. It is not one of the 
sons of light dwelling among cherubic natures. 

1 



Z THE LOVE OF GOD. 

But it is God himself. The great — tile ador- 
able — the infinite God — the Creator of the 
worlds — the former of our bodies — the framer 
of our Spirits. 'It is the mysterious, incompre- 
hensible Deity, who dwelleth in a light unto 
which no man can approach — ^who alone in- 
habiteth eternity, whom no man hath seen or 
can see, who is and who was and who ever shall 
be. It is God revealed to us as a Triune Being 
— three persons in one God: Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost — ^whom our highest conceptions 
cannot attain unto, whom our broadest 
thoughts cannot comprehend, whose fullness 
the profoundest minds cannot understand. **It 
is the Father in the absoluteness of His un- 
changing nature and universal presence, the 
Spirit in all the completeness of His manifold 
energies and diversified operations," and the 
Son in the plenitude of His power and in the 
high administrations of His kingly dignity, each 
and all spoken of as One moving in love to the 
world. And when we contemplate this Deity 
as infinite and perfect, who can sound the 
depths or grasp the length and breadth, or com- 
prehend the height of the love he feels. This 
adorable Being loved the world. Take in the 
force of that word loved. It was not a mere 
emotion. It was not a simple affection. It was 
not pity. It was not sympathy. It was not com- 
passion. It was not tender regard. It was 



THE LOVE OF GOD. d 

each one of these and more than these. It was 
all these combined and made intense. It was 
something superadded to them all. It was 
love. Free, pure, tmhounded, outgushing love. 
It was one of God 's infinite perfections directed 
in all it intensity towards us. It was not tran- 
sitory. It was not a sudden outburst of feel- 
ing, subsiding after a moment's existence. But 
it was like Grod himself. Eunning back to eter- 
nity, a warm, glowing affection, ever abiding, 
ever cherished, ever the same. It throbbed 
with every pulsation of the great heart of God. 
It shone in every act. It accompanied every 
thought. And it is not only a past love; but 
also a present love, as true now as in days gone 
bv; as active and efficient now as when Christ 
came into our world. Not only may we say 
that **God so loved the world," but also, God 
so loves the world. We are apt to judge God 
by ourselves, and to imagine that because we 
change, He must. We are apt to think because 
our love may be more intense at some times 
than at others, or may be transferred to other 
objects or withdrawn altogether from those 
on which it was fixed, that so it is with Him. 
But we wrong the Deity. We think of Him as 
encompassed with human frailty. We forget 
that there is no change in Him. His love is 
like the' sun, which ever sheds forth its beams 
the same, the warmth or the cold which we 



4 THE LOVE OF GOD. 

feel being caused not by any irregularity in 
his shining, but by our being turned towards or 
away from him. So the different sense of 
God's love which we may have, results not 
from any change in Him, but in ourselves, ac- 
cording as our hearts are turned towards Him 
or away from Him. But from Him there pro- 
ceeds the ceaseless, boundless, warm rays of 
love. Oh ! the love of God ! Who can measure 
it? Who can grasp it? It is like a shoreless, 
bottomless sea, encompassing us on every side. 
Our conception of it is heightened, too, when 
we are reminded by the text that this love is 
exercised towards the world. *^God so loved 
the world/' Here we see its freeness, for there 
is nothing in the world to claim God's love, 
nothing to call it forth. Had it been some race 
of high intelligences that was employed in do- 
ing God's will, in showing forth His glory, in 
chanting His praises, in moving in harmony 
with His plans and purposes, we would not 
wonder. If there were any beauty or attrac- 
tiveness here, anything upon which the mind 
of the Deity could dwell with complacency and 
delight, the display of his love would not be so 
great. If He could behold here the creatures 
of His own hand, looking up to Him as their 
Father and upon themselves as His children 
and returning His love with the glowing affec- 
tion of their own hearts, we would say that the 



THE LOVE OF GOD. O 

testowment of it were perfectly natural and a 
thing to be expected. If the inhabitants of the 
earth honored God, then it would not be so 
strange a thing that He should honor them. 
But is such the case? Have the earth and its 
inhabitants continued as they came from the 
hands of their Maker? What was it that God 
beheld in looking forth from His throne in the 
heavens? Tell me, was there anything attrac- 
tive to God here ? Anything which could claim 
His affectionate regard? Anything to merit 
His tender mercy? Anything to move one pul- 
sation of his heart in compassion? Was there 
not rather everything to repel? Was there not 
such consummation of wickedness as to call 
down the judgments of heaven? Could not God 
by one exercise of His Almightiness have 
blotted out this foul spot from His universe, 
with as much ease as with His word He spake 
it into being ? But behold ! and wonder ! * * God 
loved the world,'' Aye, even this world; cor- 
rupt, wicked as it was to Him who was perfect 
purity, yet not withstanding all, He loved it. 
Not that He loved its sinfulness. Not that 
wickedness had become in the least less abom- 
inable to Him. Not that the sentence of con- 
demnation upon guilt was revoked, or the judg- 
ments of that condemnation at all abated. No ! 
For then must God Himself have changed, in 
which case He would have ceased to be God. 



b THE LOVE OF GOD. 

There was the same inflexible justice; the same 
settled purpose to punish all iniquity ; the same 
determination to cast opposers of His govern- 
ment and laws and grace into the lake that ever 
burneth. His hatred of transgression had by 
no means either altered or ceased. But God 
loved the sinner while He condemned the sin. 

And see the manifestation of that love. 
* ' God so loved the world that He gave His only 
begotten Son." This was the act which re- 
sulted from the movings of His love — the gift 
of His Son — His only begotten Son. This was 
the exertion of His heart, the putting forth of 
the power of omnipotence urged and actuated 
by love. Here see the intensity and fullness 
of that divine passion which took possession of 
the breast of the High and Holy One, and led 
Him to make that sacrifice at which all heaven 
wondered, the giving up of His only Son to save 
rebellious man. Jesus Christ was the gift of 
God. There was nothing in those who are re- 
deemed which could merit or claim it. Noth- 
ing like compulsion could move the Deity. 
** Herein," says John, *4s love, not that we 
loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His 
Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 

And to what did He give Him? To rule and 
reign in super royal dignity, and by His ad- 
ministrations of grace and truth to set right 
what had become so disjointed and wrong? To 



THE LOVE OF GOD. / 

dwell among men and receive their loud ac- 
clamations, and rapturous songs of praise ? To 
be honored and loved and adored by those over 
whom He ruled? To abide among mortals 
simply and raise them by His power to dignity 
and honor? This of itself would have been a 
wonderful condescension, and a wonderful 
manifestation of love. But no. Something 
more than this was required. The love of the 
Divine Being was put to a severer test. Jesus 
Christ must descend to a deeper humiliation 
than this to save our lost race. And even when 
God saw that the hlood of His Son was re- 
quired. He held Him not back. He gave Him 
to the humiliation of the manger cradle; to 
lowliness of life among men; to poverty and 
want; to persecutions and revilings; to weary 
days and sleepless nights; to chastisement and 
stripes ; to anguish and cruel mockings ; to sor- 
row and bloody sweat. He gave His back to 
pitiless scourgings. His brow to be pierced 
by the crown of thorns, and His hands and feet 
by the nails driven in by relentless hands, his 
side by the spear; and his body to be mangled 
and torn, and raised up upon the cross, there 
to give up His spirit amidst the apparent vic- 
tory of His enemies and the desertion of His 
Father. Draw near, careless mortal, and 
survey that scene and see if thy heart cannot 
be moved by such an exhibition of thy Father 's 



8 THE LOVE OF GOD. 

love to thee. See the spotless Lamb of God 
laid upon the altar of Calvary. See how that 
benign countenance which looked with so much 
tenderness upon fallen humanity, is marked 
with the signs of anguish. Behold the meek 
and gentle Saviour bowed under the mighty 
sorrow which weighs upon His heart. See the 
death damp upon His brow; hear the despair- 
ing cry which issues from His lips. Look at 
the sharp strokes which pierce in even to His 
very soul. Mark how the Son of God yields up 
Himself to death. See Him consuming in the 
fierce fires of Divine wrath visited upon Him 
for thy sake. Is there not enough in that scene 
to move thee to tears and to melt thy hard 
heart into ingenuous sorrow? And what is it 
that has led God to give up His only begotten 
Son to death! His love to thee! *^God so 
loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
Son.'' 

But further still, the simple and single con- 
dition upon which salvation is vouchsafed is an 
additional evidence of the love of God. Simple 
belief is the only condition enjoined. ^*God so 
loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
Son that whosoever helieveth in Him should 
not perish but have everlasting life." Noth- 
ing is required which is beyond the ability of 
man to do ; nothing out of his reach. No great 
achievement above the power of mortals. For 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 



were this the case, all the acts of God and all 
the bestowments of His grace and all His 
promises, and all the hopes of redemption 
He arouses, would be nothing but solemn 
mockeries; they would tantalize, not satisfy. 
But His bestowments are so rich and free, His 
provisions of grace so ample, and His work so 
complete that it only remains for the poor lost 
soul to acquiesce in the arrangements God has 
made ; to receive His offers of mercy, to accept 
the conditions He lays down, and to comply 
with His terms, to rest in His redeeming work, 
and to look out of himself to the mighty arm 
that is stretched forth to lift him up, and he is 
safe. All he has to do is simply believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing else is demanded 
than that he should look and live. Having his 
eyes turned towards the cross of Calvary, and 
viewing the great sacrifice offered there, let 
him but throw himself in the arms of his 
Saviour, and God will accept him and receive 
him for Christ's sake. Only let him believe on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, believe that his sins 
were atoned for upon the cross, believe that 
Christ suffered in his stead, believe the record 
God has given concerning His Son, and he shall 
not perish but have everlasting life. Could any 
provision be more gracious? Could redemp- 
tion be freer? Could less than this be re- 
quired ? Could any terms be easier ? And how 



10 THE LOVE OF GOD. 

comes it that all is made to fit so well to our 
necessities? That so much is given where so 
little is demanded? And that the very act 
which brings with it all the fullness of com- 
plete redemption, is one of the commonest acts 
of life — faith — ^belief of a thing on the testi- 
mony of another. It is God's love which led 
Him to arrange it so. It was because of the 
yearnings of His heart to us, that He made 
such a blessed provision of His mercy. 

Notice also the boundless character of this 
love. ^^Whosoever believeth in Him should not 
perish.'' It takes in all our race. The great 
multitudes of earth have all been compre- 
hended in the love of God. Each one for him- 
self and all together have been the objects of 
this warm affection. There is no exclusion on 
account of tribe or kindred — condition or color 
— age or attainments. We are apt to think that 
we are lost amid the vast multitudes that have 
peopled our earth. We are apt to think that 
the Divine Being does not regard us especially, 
since there are so many upon whom His love 
is exercised. But no one can look upon this 
word whosoever and deem himself excluded. 
When the saints shall assemble in the great 
temple in the heavens, it shall be found that 
there are some there out of every nation upon 
earth, that all peoples, tongues and languages 
have contributed to swell that throng. The 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 11 

shepherd from Bethlehem ^s plains shall be 
there. The virtuous prisoner lifted from 
Pharaoh's dungeon shall be there. There shall 
be found the fishermen of Galilee and the offi- 
cer of Ethiopia, the god-fearing captives of 
Babylon, and the jailor of Philippi, the loved 
disciple, and the noble army of martyrs, and 
whosoever has believed in the Son of God, and 
gone down to the grave faithfully maintaining 
his profession. God is no respecter of per- 
sons. He looketh not upon the outward man. 
He regards neither beauty, nor wealth, nor 
position, nor learning. The soul of each one 
is dear to Him whatever his circumstances, 
whatever his surroundings. None so lowly or 
obscure that His eye does not behold him and 
love him. None so base and depraved that 
God does not extend to him His offers of mercy. 
"Whosoever will, let him come and take of the 
waters of life freely. 

And our theme is not exhausted yet. The 
text speaks of one more act of God which fills 
out the measure of His love. ^^God so loved 
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 
that whosoever believeth in Him should not 
perish, hut have everlasting life/' Life is be- 
stowed upon the believer in Jesus and that 
everlasting life. It were a bright evidence of 
love to save rebels and sinners from eternal 
death; but in addition to that, behold the love 



12 THS LOVE OF GOD. 

of God extends to them eternal life. And how 
shall we speak of this life. * ^ Eye hath not seen, 
ear hath not heard, neither have entered into 
the heart of man the things that God has pre- 
pared for those who love Him.'' Jesus said, 
*^In my Father's house are many mansions. I 
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and 
prepare a place for you, I will come again and 
receive you unto myself, that where I am there 
ye may be also." These shall be the dwelling 
place of the saints. And they shall be with 
Jes^s and see Him as He is. This is enough to 
make heaven. They shall be safe in the ever- 
lasting keeping of Him who died for them. 
They shall put their hand in His and He shall 
lead them. They shall sit down with Him upon 
His throne. They shall share His glory and re- 
joice in His presence, and their hearts shall 
glow with His praise. All pain and sorrow and 
sighing shall be far beneath them, and they 
shall live on in the rapture and the glory of 
the redeemed in the heavenly city. Everlast- 
ing life is conferred upon them, and their whole 
time shall be taken up with the blissful employ- 
ments of the glorified saints. 

** Those dwellers there are not like these of earth. 

No mortal stain they bear; 
And yet they seem of kindred blood and birth,— 

Whence and how came they there ? 
Earth was their native soil; from sin and shame 

Through tribulation they to glory came; 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 13 

Bond-slaves, delivered from sin's crushing load, 
Brands plucked from burning by the hand of God, 

Those robes of theirs are not for these below; 

No angel's half so bright ! 
Whence came that beauty, whence that living glow? 

Whence came that radiant white? 
Washed in the blood of the atoning Lamb, 

Fair as the light those robes of theirs became; 
And now all tears wiped off from every eye. 

They wander where the freshest pastures lie 
Through all the nightless day of that unfading sky." 

Is there not comfort and consolation for thee, 
O son of man, in these words and in the 
thoughts here presented? Does it bring no joy 
to thy heart to know that thy Father loves 
thee? Will it not be thy solace in thy weary 
pilgrimage? Canst thou not feel it stirring up 
thy soul to renewed activities on the side of 
goodness and truth, arousing thee to a brighter 
life, and confirming thee in a fuller assurance 
of hope? Christian, is not this theme the de- 
light of thy life? Dost thou not rejoice in it? 
Does it not encompass thee on every side? 
Dark indeed would thy days be were it not for 
this love. Drink in the joy of the theme ! Dwell 
upon the thought that God loves thee, and as 
thou dost cherish it ; let thy warm affections go 
out towards Him who loved thee even unto 
death. 

And thou, desponding brother laden 
with sin, there is joy for thee in these words. 



14 THE LOVE OF GOD. 

Let tMne eyes revert to the cross of Calvary^ 
see there the evidence of that love. Canst thou 
not feel the holy influences going out from that 
cross, flowing down to thee? The words our 
Saviour spoke, He speaks to thee. The love the 
Father bore, He bears to thee. Lift up thy 
drooping head and see the smiling face of thy 
God beaming upon thee. Let not thy heart be 
sorrowing. Be not burdened with thy sins. 
Hope on though troubles now assail. And 
throughout life bind to thy heart the thought 
that God loves thee. 

*' O love of God, how deep and great ! 
Far deeper than man's deepest hate; 
Self fed, self kindled like the light. 
Changeless, eternal, infinite. 

O wide embracing, wondrous love, 

We read thee in the sky above, 

We read thee in the earth below, 

In seas that swell and streams that flow. 

We read thee best in Him who came. 

To bear for us the cross of shame. 
Sent by the Father from on High, 

Our life to live, our death to die. 

O love of God, our shield and stay, 
Through all the perils of our way: 
Eternal love in thee we rest, 
Forever safe, forever blest! " 



©if? Attrartwm at teljl^ljf m 

** Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing "which is 
come to pass. — Luke 2: 15. 

IT frequently happens that places compara- 
tively insignificant in themselves, are dig- 
nified by the events which transpire at them. 
**What cannot ennoble greatness, greatness can 
ennoble.'' Towns and villages that would for- 
ever have remained in obscurity, or been known 
only to few, have had fame thrust upon them, 
and been honored by the historian and the poet, 
by some scene or transaction that happened 
there. 

* * The late emperor of France, while beseiging 
Mantua in Italy, exempted a small neighboring 
village from all exactions, in honor of Virgil, 
whose birthplace it was supposed to be. ' ' Who 
has not heard of Avon, rendered famous by one 
of England's greatest poets? How many 
places have claimed the honor of being the 
birthplace of Homer? With what reverence is 
our own Mount Vernon regarded, because there 
repose the remains of the Father of his Coun- 
try. What interest clusters around the places 
noted in Scripture history, and especially those 

15 



16 THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

ionored by the presence of our Lord. Naz- 
areth was held in low esteem and even despised, 
hut it is now highly regarded and even en- 
nobled, since our Saviour passed his youth and 
earlier years there. ** Capernaum was an in- 
significant fishing town, but because He fre- 
quently resided and preached in it, it was ex- 
alted unto heaven.'' And so ** Bethlehem was 
not remarkable for its buildings or commerce, 
or the number of its inhabitants, or fame of 
any kind. It was * little among the thou- 
sands of Judah.' But it was immortalized by 
an event that fixed upon it the eye of inspira- 
tion, that drew towards it in due time a mul- 
titude of the heavenly host, and has rendered it 
dear and memorable to the church forever : it is 
the birthplace of the Messiah.'' **Thou, Beth- 
lehem Ephratah," says the prophet, *^ though 
thou be little among the thousands of Judah, 
yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me, 
that is to be ruler in Israel ; whose goings forth 
have been from old, from everlasting. ' ' In this 
city of David was born a Saviour which is 
Christ the Lord. And it was the announcement 
of these glad tidings by the angel to the shep- 
herds watching their flocks by night upon the 
plains of Palestine, and the strange events 
that accompanied it, that led them to say **Let 
us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this 
thing which is come to pass." Come with me 



THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 17 

tlien and let us follow in the footsteps of the 
shepherds, and go even to Bethlehem and con- 
template a scene which will induce us to ex- 
claim, as Moses did on a very marvellous but 
very inferior occasion, ^^Ask now of the days 
that are past, which were before thee, since the 
day that God created man upon the earth, and 
ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, 
whether there hath been any such thing as this 
great thing, or hath been heard like it ? ^ ' And 
whither are we conducted? To some magnifi- 
cent palace? To a scene of grandeur and dig- 
nity? The announcement of the angel, the 
shouting of the heavenly choirs, the appear- 
ance of that bright star have raised high our 
anticipations, and led us to expect something 
grand and noble. But what do we behold? A 
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in 
a manger. Its surroundings are lowly and 
mean. It finds shelter in a stable. Its parents 
are not numbered among the dignitaries of the 
land. There is no pomp or display in their cir- 
cumstances or demeanor. To the outward eye, 
there is nothing of greatness in that scene. 
And yet upon that unconscious babe reposing 
in the manger, the whole universe looks with 
wonder and with awe. What is it that com- 
mands the absorbing attention of the heavenly 
hosts ? What is there in this event which draws 
so much interest upon it from all God's intelli- 



18 THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

gent creatures! Wliy do tlie angelic orders 
bend over and gaze upon it with so much won- 
der and delight ? Let us inquire and see what 
there is in this thing which is come to pass to 
cause so much commotion in heaven and on 
earth. 

I. First we see here a union of the divine 
and human natures. In that little babe we be- 
hold * * God manifest in the flesh. ' * The Former 
of the worlds comes down to live for awhile 
upon this globe. The Euler of the Universe 
abases Himself to move among His subjects. 
The Inhabitant of the Skies takes up His abode 
among men. He who occupied a throne of 
glory, now dwells upon His footstool. He who 
was with the Father from all eternity, and was 
in all respects equal with God, appears as a 
servant. Divinity clothes itself in the garb of 
humanity. God allies Himself with man, takes 
upon Himself the form of a man, and manifests 
Himself in the flesh. In Jesus Christ, God and 
man were so united as to form one person. Di- 
vine and human properties are alike ascribed 
to Him. He ** being in the form of God, thought 
it not robbery to be equal with God, but made 
Himself of no reputation and took upon Him 
the form of a servant, and was made in the 
likeness of men." The names of God are as- 
cribed to Him. Isaiah says, *'His name shall 
be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty 



THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 19 

God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of 
Peace." Jeremiah calls him, **The Lord our 
righteousness." Thomas on beholding Him 
after His resurrection from the dead, exclaims, 
**My lord and my God." Paul declares Him 
to be **God over all blessed forever." John 
speaks of Him as the * * King of kings and Lord 
of Lords." And yet also the names and titles 
of a man are given to Him. He is spoken of 
as the Promised Seed. He is called the Son 
of Man — the Son of David — the son of a Vir- 
gin — the second Adam — and by two of His 
Evangelists His genealogy is traced out, and 
the names of His ancestors are given by one 
as far back as David, and by the other back 
even to Adam. 

He wrought works which none but God could 
do, and at the same time performed actions 
and deeds that are only becoming a man. He 
created the world and all things visible and in- 
visible. The apostle John says, **A11 things 
were made by Him; and without Him was not 
anything made that was made." He also sus- 
tains and preserves all things, for Paul tells 
us, **By Him all things consist." He quick- 
eneth the dead, for the Scriptures declare 
that He **quickeneth whom He will." He is 
the author of eternal life, as He Himself says 
of those who follow Him, **I give unto them 
eternal life, and they shall never perish." He 



20 THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

is tlie Judge of tlie world, for we are expressly 
told that ' ^ the Father judge th no man ; but hath 
committed all judgment unto the Son/' He 
performs and possesses all things equally with 
God. And yet, though He is the brightness of 
the Father's glory and the express image of 
His person, still as a man He came into the 
world in the form of a babe. Though as God in 
Him was the infinite perfection of the Deity, 
yet as clothed with humanity we are informed 
that He grew and * increased in wisdom and 
s4;ature and in favor with God and man." 
Though as God He was incapable of commit- 
ting sin, and could not be tempted, yet as man 
He suifered those bitter temptations of the 
devil in the wilderness, still, however, with- 
out sin. Though as God He stood in need of 
nothing, yet as man He endured hunger and 
thirst. Though as God He ruled all things by 
a word and knew no want of energy, at the 
sound of whose voice even the winds and the 
waves were calmed to peace, yet as man He be- 
came wearied and fatigued. Though as God 
He needed no rest, and His watchful eye was 
ever open to behold all the events transpiring 
in the universe, yet as man He slumbered and 
slept. Though as God He was raised above all 
grief and affliction, yet as man He endured 
pains and sorrows and wept bitter tears. 
Though as God He would laugh in derision at 



THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 21 

all the efforts of His foes against Him, yet 
when manifested in the flesh He was buffeted 
and scourged by His cruel enemies. Though 
as God He could call even the putrid dead from 
their graves, yet upon the cross He gave up the 
ghost, and His lifeless body was buried in the 
tomb. . ^ * Being found in fashion as a man, He 
humbled Himself, and became obedient unto 
death, even the death of the cross." ^^In all 
things it behooved Him to be made like unto 
His brethren," according to the flesh. We 
find then many things ascribed to Him which 
cannot pertain to Him as God ; and many others 
ascribed to Him which cannot pertain to Him 
as man; the only mode of explaining the diffi- 
culty is that in His person the divine and hu- 
man were united — God and man were con- 
joined. And in the circumstances of His birth 
at Bethlehem we have the same combination of 
the lowliness of humanity with the glory of the 
Deity. What circumstances of abasement and 
humility surround Him at the time of His birth. 
It is not attended with any earthly pageantry 
or glory. His mother is an obscure virgin, so 
little thought of and possessing so little of this 
world's goods, that no room can be found for 
her in the inn. The shelter afforded Him on 
coming into the world was no better than that 
given to the beasts of the stall. The cradle that 
held the sleeping babe was a manger. No 



22 THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

goodly apparel wrapped His little form; no 
soft pillow supported His young head. All His 
surroundings were of the meanest order. By 
these evidences of His abasement was He sur- 
rounded. And yet where can we find such mani- 
festations of Glory as in the birth of Jesus. 
Prophets foretold it. The time and place of it 
were specified long before. Heavenly visitants 
announced it and directed His parents what to 
call Him. At His birth the very heavens are 
lit up with glory, and the heavenly choirs are 
teard chanting their hymns of praise, singing, 
** Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth 
peace, good will to men. ' ' The constellations of 
the firmament have a new star added to their 
number, which shines with brilliant lustre on 
account of the wondrous event which has hap- 
pened. Magi from the east, guided by its light, 
come to pay their homage and make their of- 
ferings to the new born king. All these cir- 
cumstances attest the wondrous nature of the 
great thing that came to pass. Heaven shows 
its interest in the babe, and angels come to 
sing at the birth of Him whom they adored 
in heaven. These honors are heaped upon 
the infant Jesus, the Lord from heaven, in 
whom dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead 
bodily. 

That Christ was divine as well as human is 
shown also from the fact that He existed before 



THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 23 

He was born into this world. At His birth, as 
the apostle says, He was only manifested in 
the flesh. He did not then only begin to live. 
This was not the commencement of His exist- 
ence. It was at this time that He took upon 
Himself onr nature in addition to or in con- 
junction with the Divine nature, which He had 
before. When He was born into this world He 
did not then just come into being. Before that 
He had lived. From all eternity He had ex- 
isted. The very expressions He Himself used 
show this. He said, ** Before Abraham was I 
am,^' and in one of His prayers in addressing 
the Father He said, '*And now, O Father, glor- 
ify thou Me, with thine own self, with the glory 
which I had with thee before the world was.'' 
The apostle uses this language concerning Him, 
**He came unto His own and His own received 
Him not.'' Before He could come He must 
have had a previous existence ; there must have 
been a condition and a state from which He 
proceeded, that condition was the divine, and 
that state the heavenly. And not only did He 
exist before His incarnation, before His com- 
ing in the flesh; but he existed on an equality 
with the Father and from all eternity. ^*In 
the beginning was the word and the word was 
with God, and the word was God." The shep- 
herds then, as they gazed upon that babe in the 
manger at Bethlehem, beheld the God-man 



24 THE ATTBACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

Christ Jesus, the Only-begotten of tlie Father, 
now come down to dwell among men. 

II. In the second place we see in this thing 
which is come to pass, a fulfillment of prophecy 
— ^we behold a striking display of divine truth — 
a verification of the inspired word. The com- 
ing of the Messiah was called **the truth of 
God.'' The advent of Christ into the world 
was the chief promise ever given to man. It 
was the hope of the w^orld — the event which was 
looked for with joy, and hailed with gladness 
and rejoicing. It was the earliest assurance 
made to man. Scarcely had our first parents 
sinned, and become subject to all the woe that 
sin entails, before a deliverer was promised 
them. And what a length of time the promise 
seemed to hang in suspense. A year rolled by 
and yet He came not. A hundred years passed 
away and yet He had not appeared. A thou- 
sand slowly went by, and Adam died without 
seeing the fruition of his hopes. Another thou- 
sand glided away, and the patriarchs looked 
with anxious eyes for Him, but he came not. 
And still another thousand years came and 
went. And during all that time the fulfillment 
of that promise lingered. It was foretold that 
He should descend from a particular nation — 
the nation of the Jews. Hear the words of the 
prophet, ^^ Balaam the son of Beor hath said, 
and the man whose eyes are open hath said; 



THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 25 

he hatli said wHcli heard the words of God, and 
knew the knowledge of the Most High, which 
saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a 
trance but having his eyes open; I shall see 
Him but not now; I shall behold Him but not 
nigh; there shall come a star out of Jacob and 
a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; out of Jacob 
shall come He that shall have dominion. ' ' The 
particular family also from which He should 
arise was named — the family of David — as 
saith the prophet Jeremiah, ^^ Behold the days 
come, saith the Lord, that I will raise up unto 
David a righteous Branch, and a King shall 
reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment 
and justice in the earth, in His days Judah 
shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely/' 
Even the place of his birth was mentioned by 
Micah, ^^But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though 
thou be little among the thousands of Judah, 
yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me 
that is to be ruler in Israel ; whose goings forth 
have been from old, from everlasting.'' The 
very circumstances attending his advent were 
minutely foretold, the murder of the children 
in Bethlehem in these words, **A voice was 
heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weep- 
ing; Rachel weeping for her children refused 
to be comforted for her children because they 
were not." His forerunner, John the Baptist, 
is thus noticed by the prophet Isaiah — *'The 



26 THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Pre- 
pare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in 
the desert a highway for our Grod/^ And all 
these were nttered hundreds of years before 
ihey came to pass, but were all exactly and ac- 
curately fulfilled. ^*0n how many things does 
the veracity of God depend, the failure of any 
one of which would prove Him false.'' How 
completely are all the contingencies of life un- 
der His control, to bring about all His purposes 
and designs. Nothing escapes His notice. 
There is nothing but what He overrules and di- 
rects for the accomplishment of His own ends. 
All His power is pledged for the performances 
of His promises. Heaven and earth shall pass 
away sooner than one jot or tittle of His word 
shall fail. The most minute events all bear 
their part in the great economy of God, and all 
tend to the working out of His plans. Upon 
how many little, apparently accidental circum- 
stances did the birth of Christ in Bethlehem de- 
pend. * ^ For Joseph and Mary were residing in 
Nazareth. And had not Judea been under the 
Uoman dominion ; and had not Caesar Augustus 
wished to know the number and wealth of his 
subjects, so that he ordered an enrollment of 
all the people in his dominions; and had not 
the parents of our Lord been thus compelled to 
go up to the city of David," He would have 
loeen born elsewhere, and the word of God 



THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 27 

would liave been of none effect. And all these 
occurrences appear casual; and they were so 
to the persons themselves ; but not to God ; He 
knows all His works from the beginning. All 
the prophecies of the God of truth have been 
verified to the very letter so far as they have 
yet come to pass. We have here the strongest 
assurance that those still to be fulfilled will 
just as surely meet their accomplishment. 
Everything that had been foretold concerning 
the birth of Christ was accurately fulfilled. 
Nothing was wanting. Even the little minutiae 
were all accomplished. Occurrences which 
seem to us trivial all contributed to verify the 
truth of God's word. Men waited long for the 
promised Messiah, but they waited not in vain. 
Though He tarried long, He came at last, came 
in the fullness of time, according to the pre- 
viously announced purpose of God. As we 
take another view of the manger at Bethlehem, 
we have another witness to God's truth. Let 
our confidence in Him never be shaken. 

III. Again in this great thing which is come 
to pass, we see provision made for our salva- 
tion. For the glad tidings of great joy which 
the heavenly messenger brought to the shep- 
herds were **Unto you is born this day in the 
city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the 
Lord.'' The joyous proclamation he makes 
and sounds aloud that all may hear, is, **Look 



28 THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of tlie 
earth.'' The angel that foretold his birth di- 
rected that His name should be called Jesus, 
because He should save His people from their 
sins. He Himself declared that He came to 
seek and to save that which was lost. It was 
this that the prophet referred to when he said, 
** Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried 
our sorrows. He was wounded for our trans- 
gressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; 
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, 
and with His stripes we are healed. All we 
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned 
every one to his own way; and the Lord hath 
laid on Him the iniquity of us all." He is the 
bright sun of righteousness whose rays are the 
light and healing of the earth, and the joy of 
eternity. He is the **Lamb of God which tak- 
eth away the sin of the world." **He is the 
fountain opened to the house of David and the 
inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and unclean- 
ness." He is the ** Branch of the Lord, beau- 
tiful and glorious," whose name is '*the Lord 
our righteousness." He is the '^Eock of 
Ages," on which frail man finds his salvation, 
and in whose cool shade this world's weary 
ones are blessed. He is that Root of David 
which has penetrated through the fissures of op- 
posing rock and forced its way to the fountain 
and waters of life. He is the *Eose of Sharon' 



THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 29 

and the ^ Lily of the Valley, ' which God has plant- 
ed in this bleak world to gladden the eye and re- 
vive the heart of drooping man, and be a sooth- 
ing balm to His many, many wounded. '' He 
is the meek dove that has left the pure air and 
blissful groves of heaven to be torn and im- 
molated for the purifying and cleansing away 
of guilt. Behold here then the Saviour that 
has made His soul an offering for thy sins. 
For this He left His bright abodes on high. 
For this, though rich. He became poor. For this 
He laid aside His dignity and honor and glory 
and descended even to our lowly world, and ap- 
pears in the form of flesh. He came to save 
sinners ; to die that we might live ; in His love 
and pity to redeem us. The incarnation of 
Christ was the first step made in the working 
out of the plan of salvation. That plan, it is 
true, had been formed long before. Various 
events had happened which looked to its de- 
velopment. But the first grand act of the 
Deity in actually making provision for our sal- 
vation was sending His Son to our earth to as- 
sume our nature. The manifestation of Christ 
in the flesh was an earnest of what God pur- 
posed to do for our redemption. As those 
shepherds gazed upon the Infant in His manger 
cradle, how their hearts must have thrilled 
within them when they called to mind all the 
grand and glowing promises of deliverance 



30 THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

and blessings which were to be fulfilled in the 
Eedeemer. As they looked upon Him they 
were assured that God really meant what He 
had said, and that here was the beginning of 
the great work which was yet to be wrought 
out. The Saviour of the world had come. The 
great Eedeemer was now born, who had come 
to reconcile a rebellious world to their offended 
Sovereign. Through Him the sons of Adam 
could come back to their allegiance to their 
rightful Lord. Through Him heaven and 
eaijth could once more hold loving communion 
with each other. From henceforth peace from 
God towards men was assured. Through Him 
pardoning mercy was vouchsafed to guilty man. 
Now at length the great sacrifice was being 
made ready, through whose offering myriads 
of souls should be redeemed from the power of 
sin and the thraldom of Satan, and made heirs 
of everlasting life. The victim to be offered up 
on God's great altar had now been provided. 
Through His bloodshedding salvation was 
freely and fully offered to all who would come 
and accept. It is in this, His great work — a 
work which God alone could undertake — that it 
is our privilege to contemplate Him. It is in 
this capacity that the apostles love to speak 
of Him; and to manifest Him to a weary and 
sin-stricken world as their only hope and sal- 
vation. Look then, thou frail child of clay. 



THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 31 

upon this great thing that has come to pass, 
and as you look, accept and live. Draw near 
to that rude manger at Bethlehem, thou de- 
sponding and guilty one, and behold thy 
Saviour and Eedeemer, the Shepherd and Bis- 
hop of thy soul. 

But ** great as this thing is which has come 
to pass, there are many who will refuse to take 
a step to see it. Even at the very festival 
which is the commemoration of it, they will be 
found anywhere rather than at Bethlehem. 
They will be attracted to anything rather than 
to that sight which the shepherds left their 
flocks and made haste to see ; which the Eastern 
Magi came such a distance to behold, and which 
drew all heaven down to earth. Some, while 
they observe the day by a freedom from labor, 
not only neglect, but insult the subject of it, 
and by intemperance and riot revive the works 
of the Devil, which the Son of God was mani- 
fested to destroy.'' How many will spend this 
day in sensual and grovelling pursuits, and in- 
stead of improving it as a time to feed their 
soul, will only use it in ministering to their 
appetites. How many will give themselves up 
to the joyous hilarity of the season and bestow 
not one thought upon the great event it is 
meant to commemorate. There should be joy 
and rejoicing, but with a reference to those 
glad tidings of great joy which have been pro- 



32 THE ATTRACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 

claimed to men. It is well to put aside our sor- 
rows and our cares, to deck our houses with 
garlands of green, and to spread happiness all 
around; but let our hearts recur to Him who 
alone can effectually remove all sorrow, and 
who is the only true source of happiness. It 
is well to give gifts, to renew friendships, and 
to hind tighter the cords which hold us together 
in our social life. But while all this is done, 
forget not the great gift which God has be- 
stowed upon men. 

^et us celebrate this glad day by joining our 
voices with those of the heavenly choirs above 
in giving ^^ Glory to God in the Highest,^' and 
proclaiming ^^ peace on earth, goodwill to men.^' 
Let your thoughts dwell upon that wondrous 
event — the Son of God incarnate. Eenew your 
solemn vows of devotion and consecration to 
Him. Let your love be firmly fixed upon that 
Saviour whose love moved Him to descend to 
earth for you. 

Give a hearty welcome to this Glorious 
Prince of Peace. Welcome Him to the earth, 
and at the same time open your hearts for His 
reception. Treat Him not as did the ungodly 
race dwelling upon the earth at the time of His 
Advent. Let Him not be cast out from your 
homes as too mean and poor to be allowed to 
dwell there. Give Him the freest and heartiest 
welcome your natures are capable of. Eemem- 



THE ATTKACTION AT BETHLEHEM. 33 

ber that this lowly Babe upon which you gaze 
as it lies in its manger cradle, is at the same 
time the Mighty God. He will come again to 
take vengeance upon them that know not God, 
and that obey not His Gospel, and to bless His 
own people. He has come to restore you to 
your proper dignity; to reconcile you to your 
God. **No longer continue in arms, rejecting 
His authority, trampling upon His laws, and 
refusing the offers of His grace; otherwise 
war, eternal war, will continue between you, 
and the Lord God Omnipotent.'* But only let 
the haughtiest sinner submit to His government 
this day, and all the blessings he came to pur- 
chase shall be bestowed upon him. Let all en- 
mity be laid aside, all opposition fade away, 
and as you this day call to remembrance that 
strange scene upon which the shepherds gazed 
at Bethlehem, let your hearts rejoice, and your 
lips exclaim, **Lo, this is our God, we have 
waited for Him, and He will save us: this is 
the Lord: we have waited for Him: we will be 
glad and rejoice in His salvation.'^ 



Sf^BitB a iiatt Among Mm 

Behold the man! — John 19: 5. 

THE most remarkable biography in the 
world is that of Jesus Christ. There is 
nothing like it in all earth ^s records. 
The men who wrote it performed a work which 
can never be surpassed in dignity and honor. 
The princes of the angels would have been ex- 
ulted, and felt themselves doubly glorified, had 
they been summoned to write that life. It is 
as much superior to the lives of even extra- 
ordinary men as the stars of heaven are to the 
diamonds of earth. The selection of human 
language as the medium through which to pub- 
lish it was a signal honor. Literature was en- 
nobled and crowned at the hour of its appear- 
ance. The eye of Intellect was opened then to 
fairer visions than any she had ever seen be- 
fore. Mind for the first time came in contact 
with the ideal of perfection in human life. 
Imagination looked on in wonder and felt the 
prize taken from its hands by the actual. 
Fancy owned herself conquered by positive 
fact. Poetry had never sung, art had never pic- 
tured such a life as this. Men read and won- 

34 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 35 

dered, read again and believed, read a third 
time and adored the unearthly original. Yet 
though unearthly, it was felt that there was 
genuine humanity softening the splendors, 
without staining the purity of His divine char- 
acter. Hence while philosophy was compelled 
to own its master in One whose extraordinary 
wisdom seemed to embrace everything, and to 
be equally intimate with the grass of the field 
and the glories of heaven, with a fisherman's 
hut and the mansions of the universe, with the 
heart of a widow weeping over the corpse of 
her only child and with the eternal decrees of 
God respecting the destiny of worlds, the 
humblest of the children of men were attracted 
by His unequalled gentleness, and found in 
Him a mysterious Friend in whose ear they 
could whisper the tale of their sorrows and 
their struggles, confident of sympathy and 
counsel. The decrepit sufferer touched His 
clothes, the penitent young woman shed tears 
at His feet, and the peasant's child sprang into 
His arms. The common people heard Him 
gladly. It was confessed that His word was 
with power. Men unused to the finer emotions 
of our nature declared that never man spake 
like Him. Villages, towns, cities were moved 
by His presence. Who is this ? passed from lip 
to lip as He approached. The learned won- 
dered whence His knowledge came, for He had 



36 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN". 

not been taught in their schools: the officials 
disliked His remarks, for He waited not for 
authority from them: the formalists shrank 
from His presence, for He stripped off the 
cloak of their hypocrisy; the selfish were en- 
raged by His preaching, for He founded all 
moral action on the love of God and man; the 
wicked defamed His character, for He kindled 
a fire in their consciences ; the malignant called 
Him Beelzebub, for they hated a holiness which 
they could not appreciate, and denied the power 
of Grod in the Messiah whom they would not 
accept. His deeds were as surprising as the 
perfection of His character and the novelty of 
His doctrines. He found mankind the subjects 
of disease and death in a thousand forms, and 
like a sun endowed with the power of chasing 
pestilence from the earth. He moved among 
men, pouring the healing rays of health, happi- 
ness and life wherever He came. The loath- 
some leper crawled across His path, and per- 
fect health was the boon of a word. The blind 
cried to Him, and immediately the splendid 
scenery of Palestine greeted their astonished 
vision. The deaf heard His mighty voice, and 
strange melody thrilled their hearts with joy. 
The paralytic looked on the Nazarene and has- 
tened home to his friends, with his couch upon 
his shoulder. The master pleaded for his sick 
servant, the father and the mother for their 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 37 

dying children, and, though the sufferers were 
at a distance, the Healer spoke the word and 
they were restored. The company of mourn- 
ers were stopped by a stranger, and the 
widow's only son started to life. The sisters 
wept bitter tears over a brother three days 
dead, and a voice called Lazarus from the 
grave. The frantic demoniacs rushed, in all 
directions, and ^^Come out,'' was the instant 
signal for reason to return. Demons depre- 
cated the anger of Jesus, cowered in His pres- 
ence, and prayed that He would not torment 
them before the time. Earth acknowledged its 
Lord, and the water yielded to Him a firm foot- 
ing. The fig tree withered at His glance, and 
the five loaves were multiplied so as to satisfy 
the wants of thousands. The boiling lake and 
the raging hurricane obeyed the command, 
** Peace, be still," and the alarmed sailors were 
assured of perfect safety. The angels of 
heaven came down to minister to their master, 
and Moses and Elias met Him on the mount of 
transfiguration. 

Considering His character, doctrines and 
miracles, we are astonished at the position 
which He chose in society. Though Son of 
David and heir to the throne. His chosen com- 
panions were the humblest of men. Though 
Son of Abraham and heir of the land of prom- 
ise, He had not where to lay His head. Though 



38 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

Son of Man, the Second Adam, and therefore 
heir of the world. He was poor and despised, a 
man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 
Though Son of God and appointed heir of all 
things. He was often hungry, wearied and faint. 
He could work miracles for the benefit of 
others, but would not for Himself. He could 
dry the tears of others, but His own fell often. 
He could summon legions of angels from 
heaven, but alone He met the tempter and 
suffered him to try all his wiles. He could 
speak of the glory He had with the Father be- 
fore the world was, but He was familiar with 
the cold mountain and the midnight air. A 
load of mysterious grief lay upon His heart, a 
burden which no one else could have borne. 
Passing from His position in society, look at 
what He experienced from men. Surely, we 
would be ready to exclaim, such disinterested 
benevolence, such invaluable instructions, such 
an exhibition of the most perfect human vir- 
tues, such an unprecedentedly beautiful char- 
acter, such a combination of wisdom and meek- 
ness, of power and gentleness, of sublimity and 
lowliness, of moral grandeur and humility, of 
dignity and condescension, of justice and 
mercy, will be hailed with rapture as an honor 
to the human race, as an unequalled glory to 
the land of Israel, and as a conclusive proof 
that God has not forgotten mankind. Surely, 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 39 

bad as men are, they will open tlieir hearts and 
homes to this benign Stranger. They will love 
Him ; they will embrace Him ; they will esteem 
it an honor to have Him notice them ; they will 
submit to His guidance; they will look up to 
Him and adore Him. His very presence will 
make them ashamed of iniquity. If example 
can save, they will be saved. The treacherous 
will become upright; the cruel, gentle; the un- 
clean, pure; the licentious, temperate; the pro- 
fane, godly; the vicious, virtuous; the formal, 
devout; and the selfish, benevolent. Society 
will be regenerated from its fountain head to 
its farthest streams; grace will flourish in the 
church; justice in the courts, peace in the 
cities, and joy in the fruitful field. Jerusalem 
will become the glory of cities, and Palestine of 
nations. With such a guest among them as 
Jesus, the descendants of Abraham will be the 
model people of the world, and all nations will 
hear of their sublime pre-eminence. Angels 
vdll not think it condescension to visit such an 
honored community, and even God Himself 
might say, *^They will reverence My Son.'' 

But was it so ? Alas ! a dark page in the his- 
tory of Jesus must now be turned over. He 
came unto His own. His own received Him 
not.'' Some strange infatuation seemed to 
seize on men, leading them to reject and mal- 
treat and persecute the Prince of Peace. He 



40 JESUS A MAIS' AMONG MEN, 

was taunted as the Nazarene, the friend of pub- 
licans and sinners, the plotter against Caesar, 
the breaker of the Sabbath, the enemy of 
Moses, the blasphemer of God, and the accom- 
plice of Satan. His movements were watched 
by a malignant priesthood, and His steps were 
pursued by spies, for the purpose of entangling 
Him in His talk. He was homeless, footsore, 
weary, thirsty and faint. Over His cheeks tears 
of grief often coursed, and from Him escaped 
the cry, **My soul is exceeding sorrowful even 
unio death.'' Herod with his men of war set 
Him at nought and mocked Him, and Judas be- 
trayed Him into the hands of His enemies for 
thirty pieces of silver. Men perjured their 
souls to swear away His life. An infuriated 
mob rent the air with cries of ** Crucify Him! 
Crucify Him!" and demanded the release of a 
murderer that the Son of Man might be de- 
livered to their will. Peter, His own disciple, 
denied Him, and the rest of the apostles fled 
from Him. A crown of thorns was made to 
pierce His temples, and the scourge descended 
upon His back. Between two thieves He was 
lifted up upon the cross, and the tomb of 
Joseph received His body. 

Sin had enacted many a foul tragedy since 
the club of the assassin struck down earth's 
second born ; it had rolled many a city in flames, 
and deluged many a field with gore; it had. 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 41 

kindled many a fire of fury, and offered many 
a shrieking victim to the demon gods; it had 
imbrued its hands in the blood of the innocent 
and murdered many a prophet of the Lord, but 
it had not yet borne its full fruit nor reached 
the limits of its atrocious daring. One act yet 
and these limits will be reached. One act yet 
and it must recoil upon itself exhausted by its 
labor, and stupified by its own ferocity. Mut- 
tering along the ages you hear it, gathering 
strength in its course, and growing reckless 
in the presence of the Omniscient, until after 
four thousand years of practice, it braces itself 
up to the execution of one desperate resolu- 
tion, and fixing its glaring eyes upon the Prince 
of Life, it shouts, ^^This is the heir; come, let 
us kill him.'' And accordingly, by wicked 
hands. He was seized and condemned and cru- 
cified and slain and buried and sealed in His 
tomb. 

Such was the reception which Jesus met with 
from the sons of men. Instead of hailing Him 
with joy and gladness as their Deliverer and 
Saviour; instead of embracing Him as the 
anointed of God, come for their salvation and 
redemption, they gathered around the judg- 
ment hall of Pilate, and when the Roman gov- 
ernor brought out Jesus and placed Him be- 
fore them, saying, ^^ Behold the man!'' they 
rent the air wdth cries of Crucify Him! Cru- 



42 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

cify Him! and chose a murderer in His stead. 

Friends and brethren, I present this Jesus 
before you this morning, and would say to each 
one of you, * * Behold the man ! ' ' and would ask 
you **What will you do with Him!'' Will you 
accept Him and embrace Him, or will you join 
that throng that stood around the judgment 
hall in Jerusalem and cry *^ Crucify Him! 
Crucify Him!" 

Let me show you what kind of a reception 
you may be reasonably expected to give Him. 
Iii general we should give Him a reception 
agreeable to the character He sustains, and to 
the designs with which He was sent into our 
w^orld. Jesus appears in our world under the 
character of a Saviour, a Deliverer. It may be 
expected that His appearing in our world un- 
der this character would immediately flash uni- 
versal conviction upon mankind that they need 
a Saviour, that they are helpless in themselves 
and can obtain relief from no other quarter. 
It may be expected that they would give up all 
their self-righteous conceit of themselves and 
abandon all trust in their own righteousness 
and good works; for until they do this they 
never can receive Him in His proper character ; 
that is, as their Saviour. It may be expected 
that they would welcome Christ as the great, 
the only Deliverer, and give themselves up en- 
tirely to Him, to be saved by Him, who alone is 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 



43 



mighty to save. And it may be expected that 
every heart would be transported with admira- 
tion, joy and gratitude at His appearance: a 
contrary temper towards Him can proceed 
from nothing but ignorance of our sin and dan- 
ger, and an ungrateful disaffection to Him. 

Does Jesus appear among men as a great 
High Priest, making atonement for sin? Then 
it may justly be expected that we should place 
all our trust upon the virtue of His atonement, 
and that all hands should be eagerly stretched 
out to receive those pardons which He offers, in 
consequence of His propitiatory sacrifice. 
Does He appear to destroy the works of the 
devil and to save men from sin by making them 
holy? Then who would not expect that we 
would all fall in with His designs, all form a 
noble league against sin, seek for the sanctifi- 
cation of our hearts, and earnestly apply to 
Him for the influences of divine grace to make 
us holy? Does Christ appear in the character 
of a mediatorial King, invested with all power 
in heaven and earth and demanding universal 
homage ? Then it may reasonably be expected 
that we should all bow the knee in humble sub- 
mission, all make His will the rule of our con- 
duct, and labor after universal obedience. Does 
He appear both as the publisher and as the 
brightest demonstration of the Father's love? 
and has He shown His own love by the many 



44 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

labors of His life, and by the agonies and tor- 
tures of His cross 1 ! then may it not be ex- 
pected that we should return Him love for 
love; an obedient love for his bleeding, dying 
love? Ought not the sight of a crucified 
Saviour, dying in agony and pain, to melt every 
heart, and draw the whole world to His arms! 
He Himself has this reasonable expectation. 
He says, ^'And I, if I be lifted up from the 
earth'' (that is, suspended on the cross) *^will 
draw all men unto me.'' If such love will not 
attract men, what will ? May it not be expected 
that the strong assurance that their offended 
Sovereign is reconcilable, and so much in 
earnest to pardon obnoxious rebels, would at 
length make them sensible of their ingratitude, 
melt their heart into ingenuous sorrow for 
their unnatural rebellion against so good a God 
and determine them to cheerful obedience in 
the future? Does Christ exhibit Himself as 
able to save to the uttermost all that come unto 
God through Him, and as willing as able, as 
gracious as He is powerful? Then may it not 
be reasonably expected that all the unbelieving 
fears and tremblings of desponding penitents 
should vanish forever? That all would fly to 
His arms with cheerful hope and humble con- 
fidence, and do Him the honor and themselves 
the kindness to believe themselves safe upon 
their compliance with His invitation? Does 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 45 

Christ appear in the character of a Great 
Prophet sent to publish His Father's will, to 
reveal the deep things of God, and to show the 
way in which guilty sinners may be reconciled 
to God? — a way which all the philosophers and 
sages of antiquity, after all their perplexing 
searches, could never discover! May it not 
then be reasonably expected that we should be 
all attention to His instructions that we should 
resign our understandings to Him as our 
Teacher, and readily believe what He has re- 
vealed, and particularly that we should cheer- 
fully comply with the only method of salva- 
tion contained in the Gospel? 

Does Christ assume the august character of 
the Judge of the quick and the dead, and must 
we all appear before the judgment seat of 
Christ? Then it may be expected that we 
should all humbly revere and adore Him, fear 
to offend Him and prepare for our appearance 
before Him. This is a brief view of the recep- 
tion we ought to give to the Son of God upon 
His appearance in our world. Unless we re- 
ceive Him thus we can receive no benefit from 
Him, but must incur the aggravated guilt of 
rejecting Him. *^But to as many as thus re- 
ceive Him, to them He gives power to become 
the sons of God, even to as many as believe in 
His name.'' 

Do not imagine that none are concerned to 



46 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

give Him a proper reception, but those with 
whom He conversed in the days of His flesh. 
We, at the distance of nineteen hundred years, 
and six or seven thousand miles from the time 
and place of His appearance in human form, 
are as much concerned with Him as they were. 
He is an ever-present Saviour, and He left His 
Gospel on earth in His stead, when He ascended 
up on high. It is with the motion of the mind 
and not of the body that sinners must come to 
Him; and in this sense we may come to Him as 
truly as those who conversed with Him. He de- 
mands the reverence, love and trust of man- 
kind now as well as 1900 years ago; and we 
need His righteousness. His influence, and His 
salvation as well as the people of Judea among 
whom He appeared in person. Nay, as His 
glory has now pierced through the cloud that 
obscured it in the days of His flesh, and as He 
is exalted in honor and dignity, it may be ex- 
pected with still more reason that we should 
reverence Him and submit to Him in His high 
character. He is not now the object of our 
bodily senses, we cannot see and handle Him; 
but He is now an object for the acts of the 
mind. Spiritual and intellectual things must be 
the proper objects for all rational creatures. 
Therefore, though Jesus be not now within 
reach of our senses, yet reason and faith may 
reach and perceive His glories: and it is ex- 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 



47 



pected that we should admire, love, trust and 
serve Him. 

And is there not infinite reason that infinite 
beauty and excellence should be esteemed and 
loved ; that supreme authority should be obeyed 
and the highest character revered? Is it not 
reasonable that the most amazing display of 
love and mercy should meet with the most af- 
fectionate returns of gratitude from the person 
obliged? Shall the Creator die for His crea- 
tures, the Sovereign for His rebellious sub- 
jects ; the great Lawgiver transfer the penalty 
of His own law upon Himself, in order to re- 
move it from obnoxious criminals? Shall He 
die in extremities of torture and write His love 
in characters of blood? Shall He do this, and 
is it not reasonable that His creatures, that His 
rebellious subjects should be transported with 
wonder, joy and gratitude; and that such mir- 
acles of love should engross their thoughts, 
their affections and their conversation? If we 
form our expectations from what we find in 
fact among mankind in other cases, surely we 
may expect the Son of God would meet with 
such a reception in our world: the thousandth " 
part of this kindness would excite gratitude be- 
tween man and man, and he would be counted 
a monster who would not be moved by it. And 
shall kindness from creature to creature excite 
love and gratitude, and shall the infinite mercy 



48 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

of God towards rebellious creatures fail to ex- 
cite like emotions? Is this the only species of 
kindness that must pass unnoticed? Is Jesus 
the only Benefactor that must be forgotten! 
Is it not reasonable and would not any one ex- 
pect that the perishing would willingly accept 
of a Saviour! that the guilty would stretch out 
an eager hand to receive a pardon 1 that the dis- 
eased would apply to the physician? that in- 
excusable offenders should repent of their 
causeless offenses against the best of Beings? 
and that needy, dependent creatures should 
embrace the offer of happiness? Is it not 
natural to suppose this? No man can deny the 
reasonableness of this expectation without as- 
serting that the highest excellency should be 
despised, the highest authority rejected, the 
richest goodness contemned; that rebellion and 
ingratitude are virtues, and self-destruction 
a duty. Your judgment and conscience declare 
that if it is reasonable for a child to reverence 
a tender and affectionate parent; if it is right 
that you should love your own life, or your ov/n 
happiness, then certainly it is right that you 
should give such a reception as we have set 
forth, to the blessed Jesus. Happy for us, 
happy for the world, if we could as easily prove 
that the expectation is as much founded upon 
actual facts as upon reason. But here the evi- 
dence turns against us. In such a wicked, dis- 



JESUS A MAX AMONG MEX. 49 

ordered world as this, it would be a very deceit- 
ful method of reasoning to infer that things 
are, because they should be. 

How different in reality is the reception the 
Son of God generally meets with in the w^orld, 
from what it ought to be. 

Many have lived all their days under His 
Gospel, and have professed His religion, yet 
have never received Him as their Saviour nor 
realized that they must perish forever, unless 
Jesus Christ out of pure mercy shall undertake 
to save them. 

If men heartily received the Saviour, would 
they not love Him? But where is the evidence 
of that love; where are its inseparable fruits 
and effects? Where are their eager desires 
and pantings after Himf Where is their de- 
light to converse with Him in His ordinances! 
Where their anxiety, their zeal, their earnest 
endeavors to secure His favor? Where is their 
conscientious observance of His command- 
ments ? For He has made this the test of their 
love, **Then are ye my friends,'* says He, *4f 
ye do whatsoever I command you'*? Does not 
the evidence from this inquiry affect you, my 
hearers? Are you not convinced in your con- 
sciences, that if these are the inseparable fruits 
of love, many are nearly if not quite destitute 
of it? 

Inquire farther. Have you learned to intrust 



50 JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 

your souls in His hands, to be saved by Him en- 
tirely, in His own wayf Or do you depend, in 
part at least, upon your own imaginary good- 
ness ? Does it appear strange to you to be told 
that after all your good works, God will deal 
with you entirely as with guilty sinners, and 
have no regard at all to your supposed merit in 
the distribution of His mercy, but entirely to 
the righteousness of Jesus Christ? For this 
purpose the Son of God came into the world, 
and those who do not intrust themselves ta 
Him, do not give Him a proper reception. In 
rejecting Him you reject the salvation which 
He so freely offers to you. You cast aside your 
own redemption, and turn madly away from 
the only method provided for your eternal 
safety. 

Consider, too, that in turning away from 
Him you aggravate your guilt ; for you not only 
sin against God by breaking His law, but you 
willfully despise the remedy He has provided 
for your deliverance. You cast contempt not 
only upon His commandments, but also upon 
His grace. You disregard His demands and 
His bestowments alike. You pay no attention 
to His requirements or to His favors. 

Consider this subject well, I beseech you. 
Meditate upon the wondrous character and 
work of Jesus Christ; think why He came into 
the world and why it was that He was pos- 



JESUS A MAN AMONG MEN. 51 

sessed of such remarkable endowments. Then 
ask yourselves the question whether you have 
an interest in Him? Shall He come and dis- 
play His divine power; shall all His miracles 
be performed and his instructions given, His 
trials be endured, and all his agony and pain 
so willingly borne; shall the Son of God be 
nailed to the cross and through Him the gates 
of heaven itself be opened; shall all this be 
done — and yet shall it be done in vain for you? 
The salvation which is now offered will either 
raise you aloft to heavenly glories, or sink you 
by your very rejection of it to deeper depths 
of woe. May the divine Spirit influence and 
move our hearts that we may all be led to give 
this Saviour a proper reception, to ascribe to 
Him the honor which is His due, so that we 
may share His glory in the world to come ! 



Mm (§ttmhth at (Hifmt 

Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. — Matt. 11, 6. 

JOHN THE BAPTIST had been thrown into 
prison by Herod Antipas, because of his 
stern rebuke of that cruel tyrant's unholy 
union with his brother Philip's wife. He 
was held in bondage in the fortress of Mach- 
aerus. While thus imprisoned, the fame of 
Jesus reached him. He heard of His preaching 
and of His works of healing the sick, casting 
out devils and raising the dead. But he seems 
to have been offended. He was placed in pe- 
culiarly trying circumstances. He had faith- 
fully performed his mission. He had lifted up 
his voice in condemnation of the corruption 
and hypocrisy of the times. He had sounded 
aloud the call to repentance. He had warned 
of the wrath to come, and urged his hearers to 
flee from it. He had pointed to the long prom- 
ised Messiah then present and standing among 
the people. He had preached that the King- 
dom of heaven was at hand — ^with its judg- 
ments upon the guilty — its rewards for the 
righteous — its administrations of justice — ^its 
rectification of all wrongs — ^its overthrow of 

52 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHKIST. 53 

Satan and ungodly men — its exaltation of the 
true King and His followers. But the only out- 
come of all to him as yet was imprisonment by 
the power of a licentious prince, at the request 
of a malicious adulteress. He was depressed 
and discouraged. He could not doubt that 
Jesus was the Messiah, for then he would have 
doubted his own mission as His forerunner; 
and he had divine testimony to the truth of 
what he proclaimed. But he was disappointed. 
The work of Christ was not such as to satisfy 
him. Godless rulers still retained their places 
of power ; vice was still unblushingly practiced 
among princes and among the people; hypo- 
crites and deceivers still claimed to be guides 
in religion; the poor saints were still under 
bondage, despised by the world and apparently 
neglected of heaven. The hopes and expecta- 
tions of the weary prisoner were not met. He 
could not understand the tardiness of Jesus' 
mode of procedure. Hence his perplexity. He 
was offended. To clear up these difficulties and 
satisfy himself, he sends an embassy to Jesus 
with the straightforward question, **Art thou 
He that should come, or de we look for an- 
other?" Jesus dealt very tenderly with His 
distressed and afflicted servant. He kindly re- 
ceived his messengers. **In the same hour," 
Luke tells us, **He cured many of their infirm- 
ities and plagues, and of evil spirits ; and unto 



54 MEN OFFENDED AT CHEIST. 

many that were blind he gave sight/' Then 
Jesus answering said unto the messengers, * * Go 
your way and tell John what things ye have 
seen and heard; how that the blind see, the 
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf 
hear, the dead are raised up, to the poor the 
Gospel is preached. '' 

This was a direct answer to the Baptist's 
question. By it he was referred to those very 
prophecies of Isaiah, which relate to Christ's 
Messianic work. In the 35th chapter of that 
evangelical prophet we read, ** Strengthen ye 
the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 
Say to them of a fearful heart, be strong, fear 

not. Behold, your God will come 

Then the eyes of the blind shall he opened, and 
the ears Of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then 
shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the 
tongue of the dumb shall sing." This must 
have been very convincing to John, inasmuch as 
it comes in immediate connection with the pas- 
sage which sets forth that particular work of 
the Messiah, upon which his mind appears to 
have been dwelling, viz. : the work of judgment. 
''Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be 
strong, fear not; behold, your God will come 
with vengeance, even God with a recompense; 
He will come and save you." Jesus hereby 
shows that the former of these passages ap- 
plies to Him, as much as the latter. That He 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 65 

is the Healer as well as the Avenger — that He 
is the compassionate Saviour of the weary and 
heavy laden, as well as the terrible Judge tak- 
ing vengeance on them that know not God, and 
that obey not His Gospel. His desponding and 
imprisoned servant therefore need not fear. 
The Messiah to whom He had pointed the peo- 
ple, knew for what purpose He was commis- 
sioned, and how best to carry on His work. All 
was well. The prophecies were being fulfilled. 
IsraePs King had come. Notwithstanding 
darkness and mystery surrounded His move- 
ments, and perplexity and wavering troubled 
His servants, still the divine plan was being 
consummated. The glowing words of the 
prophet who predicted these things would be 
the song of all faithful ones. **The ransomed 
of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with 
songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; 
they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow 
and sighing shall flee away. ' ' 

The Saviour also added these words of cau- 
tion and admonition to be told to John, 
^* Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended 
in Me.'' This answer which His disciples re- 
turned to the anxious prisoner had the desired 
effect. Jesus pronounced upon him greater 
praise than was ever given to mortal. We read 
no more of his difficulty and perplexity of 
mind. In the calm assurance of faith, he met a 



56 MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 

martyr's death, and went from the dungeon of 
Herod and the buffetings of Satan to the re- 
pose of the saints, and the bliss of Paradise. 

But not all who are offended at Christ, are 
as easily satisfied and set right as John the 
Baptist was. It was predicted that Jesus 
should be * ^ a stone of stumbling, and a rock of 
offense, to them which stumble at the word." 
When the godly Simeon took Jesus up in his 
arms in the temple, he said, ** Behold, this child 
is set for the fall and rising again of many in 
Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken 
against." Those words have come true. The 
Christ of God is spoken against. As it was 
with the Jews of old, so is it now, men will not 
have Him to reign over them. If we could get 
at the real opinions of men outside of the 
church, we would find that they are opposed to 
Him. He is a mystery they cannot explain, and 
that they would like to have out of the road. 
He stands in the way of their hopes and pro- 
jects, their aspirations and endeavors. They 
would prefer to have a world without Christ. 
Their mode of living and acting is at variance 
with His revealed law, and He is a constant 
witness against them. They fear Him; they 
are restive under His rebukes ; their hearts are 
hardened against Him. They try to prop up 
their opinions with fallacious arguments; and 
pick at and quarrel with everything about Him 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 57 

which does not tally with their own beclouded 
notions. 

I. The world is offended at Christ. 

1. Some are offended at His person. Isaiah 
tells us that it would be so. ^ ' He hath no form 
nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, 
there is no beauty that w^e should desire Him. 
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of 
sorrows and acquainted with grief ; and we hid, 
as it were, our faces from Him; He was de- 
spised and we esteemed Him nof Though He 
attested His divine mission by words of heav- 
enly wisdom, and by wondrous miracles, the 
Jews exclaimed, **Is not this the carpenter, the 
son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, 
and of Juda, and of Simon? and are not His 
sisters here with us? And they were offended 
at Him." He came in lowliness and humility, 
in meekness and poverty. Had He been born 
a prince, multitudes would have flocked to bow 
the knee and pay their homage to Him. But 
because He was brought up in an humble home, 
in an obscure place. He is stigmatized with the 
name of the Nazarene. Men prefer wealth to 
worth, and greatness before goodness. Be- 
cause He appeared simply as a man, men are 
unwilling to regard Him as anything else than 
a man ; and when He sets up the claim of being 
equal with God, with the Jews they retort, 
Thou art mad and hast a devil. When He as- 



58 MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 

sociates with publicans and sinners to do them 
good and sits down at meat with them, He is 
styled their friend and a wine-bibber, as if He 
were their boon companion. Men of intellectual 
culture and high social position think that one 
who keeps company with such characters can- 
not be regarded as their Saviour. Even the 
thief reviles Him; and the multitudes choose 
a Barabbas to be delivered to them and permit 
Jesus to be led away to the cross. 

2. Some are offended at His work. He per- 
formed not such deeds as usually attract notice 
and by which men seek fame. He moved not in 
the walks of literature or science or statesman- 
ship. He sought no earthly greatness, nor did 
He heed the applause of the multitude or strive 
to win His way to popular favor. All the king- 
doms of the earth were offered to Him if He 
would only follow the usual way of men in 
seeking worldly honor and power by falling 
down and worshipping the false god of this 
world. But He rejected the temptation of 
Satan, saying, **Thou shalt worship the Lord 
thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." 
Jesus appeared as a servant. He said, **I am 
among you as he that serveth. ' ' All His works 
were ministrations for the relief of suffering 
and distress among the poor, the sick, the be- 
reaved and the outcast. All His invitations 
were intended for the weary, the heavy laden 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHKIST. 59 

and the sin burdened, for the meek, the perse- 
cuted, the tempted and the poor. He came to 
seek and to save that which was lost. He held 
up such labors as these as worthiest of imita- 
tion and as being most honored and blest of 
heaven. The world is too intent on money- 
getting and ease taking and pleasure seeking 
to follow in the footsteps of Him who went 
about doing good. 

But more than in these things, they are of- 
fended at Him in His work as the Redeemer. 
The cross is an offense to them. ** Christ cru- 
cified'' is still **to the Jews a stumbling block 
and unto the Greeks foolishness." He pro- 
claimed Himself to be the anointed of God, the 
Saviour of the world that had been promised 
for many centuries, and yet He proposed to ac- 
complish this work before the generation in 
which He lived by simply doing the will of 
God, and thus securing merit and righteous- 
ness. In conformity with this plan, in all hu- 
mility He submittted to become man, to take 
man's place, and in it to render implicit and 
unfailing obedience to the Divine Law in all 
its parts and requirements, and as a substi- 
tute for the sinner to undergo death, and that 
in a most humiliating form on the cross, suffer- 
ing as a malefactor, and to be laid in the tomb, 
the common lot of mortals. And now the world 
refuses to receive a crucified criminal as the 



60 MEN OFFENDED AT CHKIST. 

Divine Son of God, sent to be the Redeemer^ 
and is offended because what He has done and 
the manner of His doing it is not such as their 
judgment commends. Although He proved by 
His mighty works, His heavenly words and god- 
like life, and by the circumstances attending 
His death. His resurrection and ascension, that 
He is truly what he professed to be, namely, 
the Christ of God, yet, while allowed the poor 
compliment of being a good man. His words 
and work and claims are an offense to the self- 
conaplacent, but really blinded, sons of earth. 
3. Others are offended at Christ ^s doctrine. 
His doctrine is so opposite to all human think- 
ing; it is so humiliating to human pride; it is 
so comprehensive, relating to the innermost be- 
ing as well as the whole outward life of the in- 
dividual, that human nature rebels against it. 
There is not a thought of the mind, or a desire 
of the heart, or an impulse of the passions, or 
a word of the lips, or a movement of the will, or 
an action performed, to which His doctrine 
does not apply, and which His commandments 
are not meant to govern. It requires the whole 
being to be put into subjection to it, and this 
does not please men. The ambitious and the 
haughty have no sympathy with that spirit, 
which can pronounce blessing after blessing 
upon *Hhe poor in spirit," and them */that 
mourn/' upon the **meek,'' and them ^* which 



I 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 61 

do hunger and thirst after righteousness," 
upon '^the merciful," ^^the pure in heart," the 
** peacemakers " and upon them ** which are 
persecuted for righteousness sake," and who 
are reviled and evilly spoken against. It is an 
offense to the unclean, the envious, the venge- 
ful and the sensual to be told that it is their 
duty to cultivate ^4ove, joy, peace, long suf- 
fering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
temperance." The grasping and selfish can- 
not understand how it is possible to be **more 
blessed to give than to receive," and cannot 
comprehend why they should be called on to 
bear crosses, and make sacrifices, and suffer 
tribulation, and endure affliction, yea, if it be 
necessary, to suffer the loss of all things to win 
Christ and be found in Him. Nor do the carnal 
minded see why it is so necessary to have and 
practice that ** holiness without which," the 
IVord of God declares, ^*no man shall see the 
Lord." 

The method by which salvation is secured is 
not satisfactory to a self-righteous race. ** Be- 
ing ignorant of God's righteousness and going 
about to establish their own righteousness," 
ihey submit not themselves **unto the right- 
eousness of God." Not realizing how sinful 
they are, nor the greatness of that condemna- 
tion under which they rest, they are unwilling 
to hear of repentance and faith. An imputed 



62 MEN OFFENDED AT CHEIST. 

righteousness they are not satisfied with. They 
rely upon their own works and supposed good- 
ness for acceptance with God, and believe them- 
selves entitled to an acquittal in the day of 
judgment, and to be received into the heavenly 
world on the ground of personal merit and 
worthiness. Salvation purchased for them 
through the precious blood of the crucified 
Christ and bestowed upon them as a free gift 
by the grace of God, they are not willing to 
receive. It is so humbling to proud man to look 
upon himself as possessed of nothing which will 
recommend him to his Maker, as being capable 
of doing nothing that will secure the favor of 
God, nay, as being sinful and guilty and lost, 
that he is offended when told that he rests un- 
der condemnation, and the wrath of God abides 
upon him. Hence when the evangelists come 
and proclaim the Gospel with all its blessings — 
its gracious call, its Divine enlightenment, its 
justification, its peace of mind, its encourage- 
ments of help here, its glad hopes of glory here- 
after — straightway offense is taken because all 
is offered through the mediation of Jesus 
Christ instead of being secured by the sin- 
ner's own work. The truth is that the carnal 
mind is enmity against God, and even when He 
manifests Himself in the flesh for the express 
purpose of saving the lost, an estranged and 
guilty world is offended at Him. 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHEIST. 63 

11. Not only worldlings, hut Christians are 
often offended at Christ. His administrations 
are not always pleasing to them. His mode of 
dealing does not always suit them. They fain 
would have things otherwise than they are ; and 
desire matters to be regulated in a different 
manner from that which He orders. They 
sometimes grow restive under His yoke. They 
complain at their cares and crosses. They mur- 
mur at His way of leading them. Since all 
power is given unto Him, and He is exalted to 
the right hand of God, they do not comprehend 
or do not take the pains to inquire why His 
church should continue to be a little flock, a 
feeble folk, and through much tribulation 
should enter into the kingdom. 

1. They are sometimes offended at Christ's 
forbearance and patience with His enemies. 
They do not understand why Satan is allowed 
to roam at large, like a roaring lion seeking 
whom he may devour ; nor why persecutors and 
infidels and blasphemers are permitted to at- 
tack the church of the living God and oppose 
His truth and slay His prophets and imprison 
His ministers. They do not see the wisdom of 
that administration which will allow the Johns 
to be cast into the dungeon, while the Herods 
and Herodiases are at liberty to engage in their 
voluptuous feasts and wanton dances, and to 
live their dissolute lives. A blessing was pro- 



64 MSI^ OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 

nounced upon the meek, and it was promised 
that they should inherit the earth, and yet they 
see a Paul led out to execution while a Nero is 
permitted to live to persecute Christians and 
slay the saints of the Most High. They would 
deal with these enemies in a far different man- 
ner. When their Lord and Master, with His 
humble followers, are set at nought and so illy 
treated, with John they feel like calling down 
fire from heaven to consume the foes of God 
and man. They question why it is that the 
great adversary of souls is suffered to sow 
broadcast his tares alongside of the good grain, 
and why hypocrites and deceivers are tolerated 
even within the church's fold. The church has 
now been for eighteen centuries in the world, 
and all along the ages the efforts of the godly 
have been hindered, the spread of the Gospel 
has been opposed, the truth itself has been at- 
tacked, error in multitudinous forms has been 
introduced in an insidious way to turn men 
from the belief of the Divine Word. Yea, even 
in the bosom of the church itself, just as the 
apostle Peter said would be the case, ^^false 
teachers" have arisen, ^^who privily have 
brought in damnable heresies, even denying the 
Lord that bought them,'' and yet the ^' swift 
destruction" prophesied, comes not. Short- 
sighted and impatient Christians should 
strengthen their faith, when such questionings 
arise, by calling to mind the **long suffering 



MEX OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 65 

of God wliich waited in the days of Noali, while 
the ark was a preparing, ^ ^ and should not com- 
plain, *4f God, willing to shew His wrath, and 
to make His power known, endures with much 
long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to 
destruction.'^ 

2. Others are offended at Christ because of 
His seeming neglect of them. Our Lord did not 
promise His followers exemption from suffer- 
ing and trial. Often their lot is one of severe 
affliction, and they are called to pass through 
the fires. How many there are who know by a 
sad experience the bitterness of poverty and 
want, as they travel on in the pathway marked 
out by Him who said, *^The foxes have holes, 
and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son 
of Man hath not where to lay His head.*' How 
many weary ones, suffering from sickness and 
pain, with ** trembling of heart'' and ** sorrow 
of mind," through many anxious days and 
sleepless nights, in the morning have said, 
** Would God it were even," and at even have 
said, ** Would God it were morning." How 
many have been left, apparently alone, to with- 
stand the subtle wiles of that base tempter, who 
assaulted our Lord Himself in the wilderness, 
when His body was weakened with fasting. 
How many helpless ones, orphaned by the hand 
of death, have been compelled to make their 
way as best they could through a selfish, grasp- 
ing world. How many there are who have 



66 MEN OFFENDED AT CHEIST. 

never known the gentle caress and watcMul 
tenderness of a mother's love, or the blessing 
of a father's heart. How unspeakably hard to 
bear those burdens and sorrows and contend 
with those doubts and despondencies and weak- 
nesses which frail mortals often meet with, as 
they struggle on in the strait and narrow way 
that leads to heaven, through the same heart- 
less world that taunted and jeered at their 
Master, as sinking under the weight of His 
cross. He was led out to Calvary. The words 
of t)avid's complaint are reiterated from their 
lips, *^Have mercy upon me, Lord, for I am 
weak. My soul is also sore vexed. ... I 
am weary with my groaning; all the night 
make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with 
my tears." But when the believer, under the 
influence of such trying experiences in this 
friendless world, is tempted to murmur at the 
manner in which his Saviour is dealing with 
him, let him call to mind the words spoken by 
that same Saviour for his admonition and en- 
couragement: **If ye were of the world the 
world would love his own; but because ye are 
not of the world, but I have chosen you out of 
the world, therefore the world hateth you. Re- 
member the word that I said unto you, The 
servant is not greater than his Lord. ' ' 

But amidst all the perplexity and wavering 
of His followers, and all the opposition and 
malice of His enemies, Christ's work goes on 



MEN OFFENDED AT CHRIST. 67 

in the way of His own appointment He still 
continues to heal the sick, to raise the dead, 
and to cast out devils, to preach the Gospel and 
to work out salvation though John be thrown 
into prison. He may not now be understood, 
clouds and darkness may be around His throne, 
yet in due time He will vindicate Himself and 
give His wondering saints cause to admire and 
applaud the wisdom and love that have marked 
all His words and acts. Blessed is he whoso- 
ever shall not be offended in Him. Let the 
troubled Christian lay hold by faith of the sure 
promises of His Word, and though he may not 
understand the methods and ways in which his 
Lord and Redeemer is working, yet he will 
learn to trust Him. 

"God moves in a mysterious way, 
His wonders to perform: 
He plants his footsteps in the sea, 
And rides upon the storm. 

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 

The clouds ye so much dread 
Are big with mercy, and shall break 

In blessings on your head, 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 

But trust Him for His grace; 
Behind a frowning Providence 

He hides a smiling face. 

His purposes will ripen fast. 

Unfolding every hour. 
The bud may have a bitter taste, 

But sweet will be the flower." 



Luke 19: 28-40. 

SUCH is the evangelical description of tlie 
triumphant entrance of Christ into the 
city of Jerusalem. That entrance took 
plaxje on the first day of the week preceding 
Easter Sunday. The Church has therefore 
very appropriately appointed this Gospel to be 
read before the congregations on this Lord's 
day, inasmuch as it corresponds with the time 
in which the event itself took place. This day 
is known in the church year as Palm Sunday, 
or the Sunday on which palm branches were 
strewed in the way of Jesus as He advanced 
from the Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem, and shouts 
of rejoicing arose on the air when He mani- 
fested Himself as Israel's King. It is a glad 
day, coming near the close of that period of 
mortification of the flesh, and searching self- 
examination, and turning away from sin, 
known as the Lenten season, in which the 
church prepares herself to gaze upon the suf- 
ferings of her Saviour, and especially upon the 
closing acts of His passion on Calvary, at 
which the heavens clothed themselves in sack- 

68 



PALM SUNDAY. 69 

cloth, and the sympathizing earth trembled be- 
cause of the death of its Lord. Palm Sunday, 
because it is a day of rejoicing coming in this 
season of humiliation, has been appropriately 
selected by many of the churches as Confirma- 
tion day. Now the church opens her doors for 
the reception of those who through penitence, 
prayer and humble faith have turned them- 
selves from the world to their rightful Lord, 
confess their faith in Him before heaven and 
earth, and take the vows of allegiance to Him 
upon them. On consideration it will be found 
that there are several points of resemblance 
between the Palm Sunday on which our Lord 
Himself was the chief actor, and this Palm 
Sunday on which the converts to the Christian 
faith are confirmed. We propose to trace these 
points of resemblance. 

I. In the first place, this triumphal march 
of Christ took place when He was on His way 
ascending up to Jerusalem. It was drawing 
near to the time of the Passover feast of the 
Jews, when the faithful sons of Israel assem- 
bled at their metropolis, in obedience to the 
Mosaic law. From all parts of Judea they 
came and thronged the highways leading to the 
city. Jesus was among them, drawing near to 
Jerusalem to attend the feast. So the con- 
firmants, who are openly received into the 
church's fold to-day, are on their way to the 



70 PALM SUNDAY. 

heavenly Jerusalem. Their faces are turned 
and their feet are moving towards that city 
whose Builder and Maker is God. They have 
come out from their abodes of worldliness and 
are going up to Zion. They are joining that 
mighty pilgrim band, gathered out of all quar- 
ters of God's domain, who, in obedience to the 
divine law, are travelling to that great temple 
on high, to engage in the pure worship of Jeho- 
vah. Many have gone before them. The suc- 
cessive ages have beheld the faithful of suc- 
cessive generations advancing in the same path 
on which they now enter. Prophets and kings, 
and apostles, martyrs, reformers and holy men 
have preceded them. Their friends and relatives 
are around them. The whole company of the 
church welcome them to their ranks. Singing 
the songs of Zion, they proceed on their way. 
They are resolved never to cease their spiritual 
journey until the massive walls of the heavenly 
city are reached, the pearly gates are opened, 
and their feet stand upon the golden streets, 
until their ears are greeted with the strains of 
celestial music and their eyes behold the man- 
sions of the blessed flashing with the glory of 
God and illumined by the presence of the Lamb. 
They are on their way to keep the feast in 
honor of the Lamb who was slain. Their pulse 
is quickened and their eyes beam brighter, as 
new hopes are aroused in their hearts, new 



PALM SUNDAY. 71 

thoughts fill their minds, and holy aspirations 
animate their souls. They are not without 
their embarrassments. The dust of travel is 
upon them. The journey will be fatiguing and 
attended with discouragements But as their 
day their strength shall be. With subdued but 
joyous anticipation they set out. They are on 
their way •* ascending up to Jerusalem.'' 

II. In the second place, the triumphal en- 
trance of Jesus into Jerusalem was attended 
by a manifestation of the obedience of faith on 
the part of His disciples. In order to prepare 
for this event, when Jesus *'was come nigh to 
Bethphage and Bethany at the mount called the 
mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 
saying. Go ye into the village over against you ; 
in the which at your entering, ye shall find a 
colt tied, whereon yet never man sat : loose him 
and bring him hither. And if any man ask you. 
Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto 
him. Because the Lord hath need of him. And 
they that were sent went their way and found 
even as He had said unto them. And as they 
were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said 
unto them. Why loose ye the colt? And they 
said, The Lord hath need of him. And they 
brought him to Jesus." Here then are two 
instances of unquestioning obedience rendered 
to the command of the Lord. The two dis- 
ciples whom Christ sent on this errand could 



72 PALM SUNDAY. 

not know what He knew, nor forsee what He 
foresaw. They had made no arrangements for 
securing the beast after which they were sent, 
nor of themselves knew where to find it, as is 
shown by the very minute directions given 
them. The only thing they had to guide them 
was the word of the Master. That they be- 
lieved, and on that they relied with implicit 
confidence; and on that they acted. The own- 
ers of the colt also promptly complied with the 
will* of the Lord. The simple answer ^^The 
Lord hath need of him," given to their question, 
was sufficient for them. Here were examples 
of trusting obedience. The word of Christ 
was supreme law to these men. They ques- 
tioned not the propriety or the reasons for His 
directions, but immediately submitted to His 
will. Had they been like many modern objec- 
tors and quibblers they would have demanded 
explanations of this conduct, and visible proofs 
that all was right. But the Lord's order was 
sufficient for them, and without further ado 
they trusted Him and obeyed. 

So the persons who are confirmed in the 
church are surrendering themselves to their 
Lord. They recognize Him as the great 
Prophet of God — the Light of the world. They 
receive His words as divine truth. They sub- 
mit themselves to His guidance as able to di- 
rect and lead them. They acknowledge His 



PALM SUNDAY. 73 

right as the Supreme Lawgiver to command 
them, and trust in His integrity and holiness to 
demand only what is just and true. They are 
assured of His wisdom and goodness and love, 
and are confident that what He reveals may be 
trustingly believed, and what He orders may 
be safely followed. They feel their own in- 
ability to know the truth of themselves, and to 
work out their own salvation, and so they yield 
themselves into their Saviour's hands and set 
themselves to do as He tells them, not only be- 
cause He has a right to their service, but be- 
cause it is safest and best. Doubtless there is 
much about the scheme of salvation which they 
cannot understand. There are many mysteries 
in the Word of God which they cannot fathom, 
many revelations which are obscure and dark, 
much about the nature of God and of Christ 
and about the work of their Eedeemer which is 
not given to them to know. There are many 
Providences that they cannot explain. They 
know not by what way they shall be led, nor 
what they shall be called upon to do and suf- 
fer before their pilgrimage is over. They have 
a great deal to learn, and there is a great deal 
which cannot be learned in this life. And yet 
they know enough to give themselves into the 
hands of the Lord Jesus and trust in Him for 
salvation. Though there may be conflicting 
emotions and fears and struggles in their souls, 



74 PALM SUNDAY. 

yet they are assured that following Christ is 
the only way of solving their difficulties and ob- 
taining peace. The command of Christ they 
are resolved to make the law of their life, 
knowing that the path of obedience is the path 
of safety. They have had their spiritual con- 
flicts. Satan has intruded his evil suggestions 
upon them in the midst of their holiest medita- 
tions and most solemn devotions. They have 
been tempted again and again to postpone or 
give up this step. They have lamented their 
weakness of faith, their failures, their short- 
comings, their ignorance of divine truth; they 
have mourned over the opposition their carnal 
minds have made to the Word of Grod ; but they 
see in Jesus Christ a sufficiency that avails in 
the sight of God to cover all their sins and de- 
fects, and they take comfort in the thought that 
His strength is made perfect in their weakness. 
They have had their struggles and their fears ; 
worldliness, the desires of a fleshy mind, and 
unbelief would keep them back; but they have 
determined to break through all opposition and 
flee to the arms of their Saviour, who they 
know is ready and willing to receive them, and 
who is able to keep them from falling. They 
do not intend to trust the promptings of their 
own minds, but they intend to trust Christ. 
His commands will they follow; His path will 



PALM SUNDAY. 75 

they walk in. To Him will they yield unliesi- 
tating and confiding obedience. 

III. In the third place, in His triumphal en- 
trance into Jerusalem Christ made a public 
declaration of Himself. He never before so 
openly appeared before so large a multitude. 
Previous to this His usual custom seems to 
have been to shun too public a manifestation 
of Himself. He bade many of those upon 
whom He wrought miracles, see ' ' that they told 
no man.'* When Peter, in the presence of the 
other disciples, in answer to the question of the 
Lord — ^*Whom say ye that I amf — said, 
**Thou art the Christ the Son of the living 
God,*' He charged His disciples that they 
should **tell no man that He was Jesus the 
Christ. ' ' Even in those larger assemblies when 
He preached to the people. He did not declare 
Himself the Christ, but let His works and His 
heavenly words attest who He was. But on 
this occasion Jesus did not retire from the 
presence of the vast multitude, nor refuse their 
homage, nor repress their ascriptions of praise, 
nor charge them to keep silence concerning 
Him. But He rode in the midst of the thronged 
way, while the whole city was moved by His 
presence, and from the crowded metropolis is- 
sued great numbers who had gathered there 
from all parts of the land to be in attendance 
at the approaching feast; all these lined the 



76 PALM SUNDAY. 

road or joined in the procession, and **tlie mul- 
titudes that went before and that followed 
cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: 
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the 
Lord; Hosanna in the Highest. And when He 
was come into Jerusalem, all the city was 
moved, saying, Who is this! And the multi- 
tude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Naza- 
reth of Galilee." Here then was an acknowl- 
edgment of Jesus such as had never before 
beerf made ; and Jesus permitted the people to 
honor Him in this public way, and to declare 
who He was, applying the language of prophecy 
to Him, and so pronouncing Him to be the 
Messiah. It was a confession of Christ made 
by men before men. 

The confirmants make a confession of Christ 
to-day. By appearing here publicly they ac- 
knowledge Him who is Head over all things 
to the church. By assuming the name of 
Christian they declare themselves the followers 
of Him from whom that name is derived. In 
being baptized in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost they enter 
into a covenant with the Triune God, through 
Christ, through whom alone that covenant is 
made. In answering the questions propounded 
to them in the service, they declare their pur- 
pose to renounce the kingdom of Satan and all 
worldliness, and to believe the record God has 



PALM SUNDAY. 77 

given of the Creator, tlie Redeemer and tlie 
Sanctifier, and to surrender themselves to a 
life of obedience and submission to the Gospel 
which Jesus proclaimed. In coming out before 
the congregation they profess their faith in 
Jesus as their Prophet, Priest and King, and 
that they rely upon Him alone for salvation 
and desire it to be known that henceforth they 
belong to Him. They give expression to their 
desire to participate in all the means of grace, 
the adequacy of which to sanctify them and 
prepare them for heaven they thus admit. 
They announce their willingness to let it be 
published that Christ is their Lord, and they 
are His servants, and that they are not 
ashamed of Him. They confess their faith in 
Him. 

Such a confession of Christ is required of all 
His followers. *^ Whosoever shall confess me 
before men, him will I confess also before my 
Father which is in heaven. But whosoever 
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny 
before my Father which is in heaven. * ' * ^ With 
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; 
and with the mouth confession is made unto 
salvation.'' We cannot be full disciples of 
Christ in secret. We must let our disciple ship 
be known or Christ will not recognize us. He 
is a poor servant who is ashamed of His Lord, 
or who, from fear of the world, hesitates to 



78 PALM SUNDAY. 

avow Him. In all ages God has demanded that 
His people be separate. He requires us to 
honor the Saviour before men, by declaring 
that we acknowledge His claims and look to 
Him for salvation. 

lY. In the fourth place the public entrance 
of Christ into Jerusalem was a triumph over 
His enemies. The chief priests and Scribes 
and Pharisees had long ignored His claims, and 
were jealous of His growing popularity, and 
had* followed Him with persecution. They had 
even cherished designs upon His life, in order 
to put Him out of the way. Gladly would they 
have silenced the shouting multitude or di- 
verted their homage to themselves. They stood 
by gloomy and sullen, but powerless. They 
could not restrain the uprising of the people, 
nor could they bear to see so much worship 
rendered to the despised Nazarene. ^^^Some of 
the Pharisees from among the multitude said 
unto Him, Master, rebuke Thy disciples. And 
He answered and said unto them, I tell you 
that if these should hold their peace, the stones 
would immediately cry out." The tempter, 
too, with whom He contended upon His en- 
trance into His ministry, was vexed to see the 
people turning to Him. All through His min- 
istry Satan had used his utmost exertions to 
thwart Him and defeat His purposes. He in- 
spired the hatred which was manifested 



PALM SUNDAY. 79 

towards Him; lie aroused the rulers to plot 
His death; he used all his arts to render His 
work of none effect. But here was a sudden 
yielding of the populace to the claims of Jesus 
that he could neither check nor control. The 
enemies of Christ were impotent before Him, 
He triumphed over them all. 

So now in the case of those confirmed, there 
is a triumph for Christ. They make a declara- 
tion for Christ against the world and its usurp- 
ing, wicked prince. The Spirit of God has 
touched their hearts and enlightened their 
minds, has quickened their spiritual under- 
standings and strengthened their wills in pur- 
poses of good. They are putting off the old 
man with his deeds and are putting on the new 
man, which is renewed in righteousness and 
true holiness. The power of Christ's cross has 
prevailed over the powers of darkness. The 
heavenly law of life has put in subjection the 
fleshly law. Satan is despoiled of his prey, and 
the world is, so far at least, overcome. The 
Lord adds new trophies to those already gained 
and decks His crown with additional jewels. 
Grace has conquered the resistance it met with 
and so has gained a victory. Every soul gath- 
ered into the kingdom swells the forces of the 
Prince of Peace and weakens those of the Ad- 
versary. Every new member admitted into the 
fold of the church is a gain from the world. 



80 PALM SUNDAY. 

Naturally there is opposition to Jesus and His 
Gospel. Conformity to them is disliked. The 
barriers which sin raises must be broken down ; 
and the strong entrenchments which Satan 
builds up around his power must be demolished 
before there is a yielding to Christ. All this 
is accomplished through the Gospel of Christ. 
When He makes friends out of enemies; will- 
ing followers out of rebels; saints out of sin- 
ners; new creatures out of earthly natures. 
His work is a triumph. Worldlings and the 
powers of evil may stand by chagrined and de- 
feated, but they are unable to stand before the 
Lord of Lords. He rescues from their grasp 
those whom otherwise they would lead to de- 
struction. 

V. Again the triumphal entrance of Christ 
into Jerusalem was a time of rejoicing. His 
disciples rejoiced. For three years they had 
attended Him in His poverty and trials. They 
had witnessed the resistance of the rulers, the 
indifference of the people, the accusations of 
His revilers, and the bitter hostility with which 
He had been met. They were with Him when 
He was charged with casting out devils through 
Beelzebub ; with being mad and being possessed 
of a devil. They had seen His anxiety, His pa- 
tience under suffering. They knew that He 
had had to flee for His life, and to hide Him- 
self from the rage of the multitude. No such 



PALM SUNDAY. 81 

outburst of fervid enthusiasm as this had ever 
attended His steps before. It was a spon- 
taneous acknowledgment of His claims. They 
no doubt regarded it as the dawning of a bet- 
ter day — the commencement of a new era in 
His history. They rejoiced in this tardy but 
general praise accorded to Him, and looked on 
with wonder as the multitude thronged around 
to do Him honor. The people rejoiced. They 
spread their garments in the way as a token 
of submission. They cut down palm branches 
and strewed them in the way. They praised 
God *^with a loud voice for all the mighty 
works that they had seen.'' They filled the 
air with their Hosannas; and together they 
shouted *^ Blessed be the King that cometh in 
the name of the Lord." They were glad be- 
cause their Messiah, their King, had come. 
Their hearts were awakened and they gave vent 
to their feelings in the language which the 
prophet had employed in predicting this scene. 
It was a day of rejoicing. 

This confirmation day is a day of rejoicing. 
Those who are received into the fold of the 
church as communicants rejoice. Now at 
length, after all their conflicts and tears and 
penitential prayers, and strivings of heart, 
they are permitted to be publicly identified 
with the Saviour to whom they have given 
themselves, and to acknowledge Him before 



82 PALM SUNDAY. 

men. They know tliat they are moving in the 
line of duty, and that brings intense satisfac- 
tion. They have conquered themselves and the 
world, and they are glad. Their relatives and 
friends rejoice. They have looked upon them 
with much anxiety and followed them with 
many prayers. They have noted each year as 
it rolled by and longed for the happy hour 
when they would take this important step and 
be jiumbered henceforth among the children 
of God. It gives them joy to see them coming 
out publicly to take the vows of allegiance to 
Christ and to set out in the path that leads to 
the skies. It arouses new hopes, and gives new 
anticipations of reunions of families in heaven,, 
which one day must be separated on earth. The 
church rejoices. Additions are made to her 
membership. Her power for good is increased. 
She is hereby assured that her labors for the 
salvation of souls have not been in vain. She 
is encouraged to make new efforts in the same 
direction. It is a token that Christ is still 
present with her; that the Holy Spirit is op- 
erating upon the hearts of men ; the Word and 
the sacraments have not been preached and ad- 
ministered in vain. The angels rejoice. They 
are sent forth to be ministering spirits, to min- 
ister to those who are heirs of salvation. Jesus 
said, ** There is joy in the presence of the an- 
gels of God over one sinner that repenteth.'^ 



PALM SUNDAY. 83 

Throughout those hosts of high and glorious 
beings the news is conveyed. Their hearts 
thrill with rapture. New songs burst forth 
from their lips. They contemplate the scene 
here presented with delight. They gaze with 
gladness upon those whom the Saviour has 
searched out and brought into His fold. It is 
a day of rejoicing. 

VI. Finally this triumphal procession of 
Christ was closely followed by great vicissi- 
tudes. During that same week Christ was be- 
trayed by one of His disciples into the hands of 
the chief priests and rulers of the Jews. Pre- 
vious to this He endured the bitter agony of 
the garden of Gethsemane. He was arrested 
and led before the Sanhedrin, then before 
Pilate, then before Herod, then to Pilate again, 
before all of whom He received cruel and in- 
human treatment, and finally was condemned 
to death. On the sixth day of the same week 
He was led out to be crucified, bearing His 
cross, on which He suffered death as a male- 
factor. On the evening of the same day He 
was buried, and laid in the grave until the 
first day of the following week, when through 
the power of God He arose from the grave and 
appeared to His wondering disciples. Forty 
days after that He led His disciples out as far 
as the Mt. of Olives, and there, in the presence 
of the eleven, He ascended up until the clouds 



84 PAIjM SUNDAY. 

received Him out of their sight, and He sat 
down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 
All these were momentous events. They fol- 
lowed each other in rapid succession, and came 
quickly after the day on which He was hailed 
by the applauding multitude, and garments and 
palm branches were strewn in His way. They 
were rapid alternations of humiliation and ex- 
altation, of sorrow and joy. They led to a 
final consummation of victory and glory in the 
heavens. 

So those who are united with the church 
must not expect to walk upon a perfectly 
smooth and even path. The step which they 
take to-day will be followed by many changes, 
which may come upon each other quickly. They 
know not by what way Providence will lead 
them, nor can they tell what temptations will 
assail them. They must needs follow their 
Lord into the vale of sorrow and pray His 
prayer, ** Father, if it be possible let this cup 
pass from Me, nevertheless not My will, but 
Thine be done. ^' The cross which He bore they 
must bear as they journey on, even until the 
hour of their departure from the world. They 
may meet false friends who would betray them 
into the hands of their spiritual enemies. The 
world will be no helper to them, but its giddy 
votaries will clamor against them and condemn 
them, will look on with satisfaction at their dis- 



PALM SUNDAY. 85 

comfiture and rejoice if they should fall. 
Temptations will be presented in various 
forms, and the sin which still lurks in their 
members will torment them and contest every 
inch of their progress in a holy life. Death 
awaits in secret to seize them as his prey; and 
the Great Arch Fiend unseen, but subtle and 
powerful, will take every opportunity to 
thwart their plans and entangle them in his 
toils. But as to Jesus in the garden of Geth- 
semane, so to them will God send His angels 
to guard and keep and protect them, to streng- 
then them in their conflicts and to ward off all 
temptations that would be too strong for them 
to bear. The almighty grace of God will ever 
be vouchsafed to them. There will be periods 
when they will especially feel the power of a 
new life pulsating through their frames, and 
there will be a shaking off of the earthy bands 
and surroundings, and a renewed resurrection 
to vigor and activity in spiritual life. Let them 
be faithful and diligent in the emplo^Tiient of 
the means of grace, and there will be constant 
communion and fellowship with God through 
Jesus Christ by the aid of the Holy Spirit. As 
time rolls on they will be able to look back and 
see how their minds have expanded, their views 
of holy things enlarged and strengthened and 
their hearts more steadfastly fixed on God. 
Excitement and sudden glow of feeling will 



86 PALM SUNDAY. 

give place to calmness and composure, steady 
continuity of affection and purpose. They must 
be diligent and faithful to their calling and all 
along the way look to the Lord Jesus Christ as 
their Saviour and the Shepherd of their souls 
who will preserve and defend them. And if 
they thus fight a good fight and finish their 
course and keep the faith, the day of ascen- 
sion will come, when like their Lord, they will 
ris^ up to be received by Him in the heavens, 
and to sit down with Him on His throne in 
glory everlasting. 



"They crucified him."— Luke 23: 33. 

WE commemorate to-day the greatest 
tragedy in this world ^s history. Let us 
glance at the most important events of 
the memorable Friday on which Christ was 
crucified. 

It is past midnight and we can discern a 
hand of men coming forth from a green, tree- 
shadowed garden. Here and there a ray of 
moonlight, striking through the trees, flashes 
on bright armor, and we see that some of the 
band are Eoman soldiers. The torches which 
are carried by many reveal the faces of men 
clad in Oriental dress. These are Jews, and 
their eyes are fixed fiercely upon One, who with 
bound hands and bowed head, is led forward 
across the brook Kedron and up the hill into 
Jerusalem and to the high priest's palace. In 
the background, among the shadows of the 
trees, we see some figures keeping aloof from 
the crowd as if uncertain what to do. These 
are the eleven apostles. There is one also in 
the multitude of those who are bearing Christ 
along who seems troubled and appears to be in 

87 



88 CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 

strange company. His eye dare not meet that 
of the silent Prisoner, and his heart is torn 
with doubts and fears as to the result of that 
terrible night ^s work, and of the kiss of be- 
trayal. After a rapid walk up the declivity 
and through the streets of the city the palace is 
reached and the sinless One is brought into the 
presence of Annas the Sadducee, an old man, 
full of craft and cruelty. The city of Jeru- 
salem is crowded with visitors who have come 
from almost all parts of the world to keep the 
feast of the Passover, but yet all is still. 

The weary night, the darkest in this world's 
history, drags on. Jesus has been led away 
from Annas, who has in vain tried to find guilt 
in the innocent One. He has been taken from 
one side of the palace to the other, where dwells 
Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas. There a 
few of the fiercest and bitterest of His enemies 
are met together and seek, by the aid of false 
witnesses, to impute wickedness to Him, in 
whom was no sin. To the questions, half sneer- 
ing, half fearful, of Caiaphas, Jesus answers 
not a word. **As. a sheep dumb before her 
shearers," so the Lamb of God opened not His 
mouth. But at last He speaks. In answer to 
the High Priest's adjuration. He has told them 
that He is the Son of God, and now the savage 
hatred of the crowd breaks forth. They sway 
to and fro and angry voices are lifted up. 



CHKIST CRUCIFIED. 89 

Wliite-liaired teachers, forgetting their sacred 
calling, are trying to inflame the passions of 
the people. There is one ominous murmur 
throughout the assembly, *^He is guilty of 
death.'' 

The dawn is breaking and the spring morn- 
ing is cold and gray as they hurry Jesus across 
the court of the high priest's house. Those 
sad eyes, so wan with looking on the sins of 
men, gaze on the group of servants who stand 
around the fire of coals. Whose is that bois- 
terous voice 1 Who is he whose broad Galilean 
dialect betrays his origin, as he cried with an 
oath, **I know not the man." Those warning 
eyes look on the face lighted up by the blaz- 
ing coals and strike sorrow to the very heart 
of the denying Peter. And so, bearing this 
fresh wound, the denial of His friend, Jesus 
goes to the soldiers' guard room to await the 
day when He may be judged by the whole Jew- 
ish Council. 

The brutal soldiers keep Him till the sun 
shines out; and in the sweet Eastern morning 
Jesus is dragged before the Jewish Council 
met in full assembly. Not one friendly face 
looks forth from among those judges. Nico- 
demus and Joseph of Arimathea are absent, 
and scribe and elder, priest and Sadducee are 
alike eager for the death of Christ.- And now, 
the mock trial is over, and since they have not 



90 CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 

the power to put Him to death, the Jews deter- 
mine to deliver Him to the Eoman authorities, 
and the procession starts for the gorgeous pal- 
ace of Pilate, the governor. The whole city of 
Jerusalem is astir. The streets are crowded 
with people — ^villagers bringing their fruits 
and wares from Bethany and Bethphage; 
fishermen from Gennesareth who have come to 
keep the feast; women and children and white- 
haired patriarchs; and here and there stern 
Bofnan soldiers riding with their officer and 
watching warily for any disturbance among 
the people. 

And now all eyes are turned towards a 
strange procession. Yonder are the chief 
priests with Caiaphas at their head, and others 
who are well known as the leading men of the 
great Council. Strangers ask who is the pale, 
worn man, bound as a prisoner, around whom 
a frantic mob surges with such angry cries, 
^*He is the prophet of Galilee,'' say some *^a 
good man and wise." **He is a deceiver and 
stirrer up of sedition," say others; and as the 
crowd presses nearer, the Eoman soldiers 
press them back with their spears. 

And so they come to the beautiful palace of 
Pontius Pilate, towering high up above the 
city, with its floors flashing with jewels, its 
roofs glittering with gold, and its halls echoing 



CHKIST CRUCIFIED. 91 

with the plash of fountains and the cooing of 
doves. 

Pilate sees in the excited crowd only a new 
sign of riot in the people whom he fears and 
despises. He stands before the Jewish rulers 
cold and dignified, without sympathy for ac- 
cusers or accused. He sees that the priests are 
eager for blood, and with the keen eye of ex- 
perience is convinced that the prisoner is inno- 
cent. He takes Jesus within the splendid hall, 
where his accusers will not come on the eve of 
the passover. The Eoman governor stands 
there in his purple and fine linen, powerful, 
gorgeous, troubled. The King of heaven and 
earth stands before him, poor, despised, in- 
sulted, yet calm in His spotless majesty. The 
few words then spoken convince Pilate that 
Jesus has done nothing worthy of death, and he 
tells the Jews so plainly. But in vain: the 
shouts grow fiercer. Presently Jesus is sent to 
Herod, Pilate hoping to get rid of the respon- 
sibility. Once more through the streets of 
Jerusalem, more crowded, more dangerous 
than ever, is the sinless One dragged to the 
Palace of Herod Antipas, one of the worst 
princes of a bad line. 

Herod's soldiers mock Him and set Him at 
naught, and He is sent back to Pilate wearing 
a white robe which they have put upon Him. 
Again the vascillating Roman Governor tries 



92 CHEIST CRUCIFIED. 

to deliver the innocent prisoner. But lie fears 
an outbreak; the city is filled with Jews, far 
outnumbering his soldiers and already the cry 
is raised, ^^Thou art not Cassar's friend. '* He 
offers as a last choice to set the prisoner free, 
according to the Passover privilege of the 
Jews. But now a mighty roar goes up from the 
numberless voices, **Not this man, but Barab- 
bas.^' ** Crucify Him! Crucify Him!*' 

And so the sentence is given and Jesus is de- 
livered to their will. Think of the savage fury 
of the mob as it sweeps upon Him. The sol- 
diers proceed to scourge Him according to the 
horrible custom of the time. It was a punish- 
ment under which the victim often died, but for 
Jesus the end was not yet. The mockery of the 
soldiers follows the scourging. Herod's white 
robe, all stained with blood drops now, is torn 
off, and a scarlet garment is thrown over the 
fettered prisoner. Jesus has acknowledged 
Himself a king and He shall be crowned, say 
the soldiers. They twist some sharp, thorny 
branches into a crown, and press it upon His 
aching brow. A reed is used as a sceptre and 
is pressed between the bound and helpless 
hands; and the mocking words are uttered, 
* * Hail, king of the Jews. ' ' If Pilate had hoped 
to save Jesus, the fury of the crowd banished 
the hope. He has yielded against his will and 
knowledge of right; he has washed his hands, 



CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 93 

as he thinks, of the blood of Jesus ; and soldiers 
have been sent to prepare a cross — not a diffi- 
cult matter, as it was a common instrument of 
execution among the Romans — and the great 
procession of sacrifice sets forth for Calvary. 
The crowd sweeps out through the city gate to 
look on this great sight — a motley crowd of 
open enemies and secret friends. 

We know not for certain who all were there, 
but doubtless we can rightly name some of that 
vast multitude. There w^ere many who had 
seen the works of mercy which Jesus had per- 
formed. Country people from Nazareth would 
remember the quiet home among the hills, and 
the blameless life of Him whom they called the 
carpenter's son. Were there none there from 
Oana of Galilee who were present when the 
water was made wine ? Were there none to tell 
of the daughter of Jairus, or of the son of the 
widow of Nain ? We hardly think that Lazarus 
and his sisters of Bethany, so near to Jeru- 
salem, would have been absent at such a time. 
We know that there were women who followed 
Him in that procession, and doubtless the tear- 
ful eyes of Mary the Mother of Jesus saw 
where He fell under the weight of the cross and 
watched Him on the way to Calvary. The spot 
is reached at last. 

The authorities are determined to make the 
scene a notable one, and two thieves are to die 



94 CHBIST CEUCIFIED. 

with the Lord of Eighteousness. The Boman 
soldiers clear a space around the three crosses ; 
the vast crowd stands impatiently outside the 
barrier of armed men. The horrible details of 
the torture are watched with brutal interest. 
It is done at last. **They crucified Him.'* 
How different the feelings of the two classes of 
spectators! To the one class this scene was 
only one of interest and excitement, in so far 
as *their curiosity to witness the horrible was 
gratified. To the trembling believers in Jesus, 
to those who had learned to love Him, and yet 
were afraid now to avow their love, the scene 
must have been one of mingled astonishment, 
mystery and grief. Could it be that He the 
all powerful would really yield to His enemies ? 
Could the conqueror of death, the deliverer of 
Lazarus really die? And who shall tell the 
thoughts which passed through the mind of 
the mother of Jesus, and of Mary Magdalene, 
and of many another who loved Him? If the 
eyes of the Jewish rulers flashed with gratified 
rage, there must also have been many eyes wet 
with tears. 

They crucified Him. The precious blood of 
the Lamb is shed for the sin of the world ! For 
thee, Pilate, in thy pride, if thou wilt avail 
thyself of it ; for thee, O Bartimeus, the beggar, 
pnce blind, in thy humility — ^for all alike it 



CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 95 

falls. They crucified Him, and all crucify Him 
who sin out of malicious wickedness. 

Let the proud man remember his pride cru- 
cifies afresh the meek and lowly Jesus. The 
angry and cruel man, the selfish, the lustful; 
yea, even the frivolous, the thoughtless, the in- 
different crucify the Saviour. The sins of all 
of us it was that brought Him to the cross and 
nailed Him there. May the thought of that 
cross and passion humble us all. May we die 
with Him unto sin, that we may rise with Him 
unto newness of life. 



©If? ^pBitrr^rtton of CtinBt 

"The Lord is risen." — Luke 24: 34. 

THERE is no fact in the Saviour ^s history 
that is more important for us to know 
than His resurrection. Without this His 
work would have been incomplete. Without a 
resurrection from the grave, no benefits would 
have flowed from His death. If He had been 
held in the embrace of death His power would 
have ceased with Him. And if His enemies, 
when they nailed Him to the cross, had put Him 
out of existence, they would also have given the 
death blow to the religion He came to establish. 
But, thanks be to God, the great Sun of right- 
eousness, after a **red and bloody setting,^' 
has had a bright and ^^ glorious rising,^' thus 
vindicating Himself and His gospel and estab- 
lishing His religion upon a foundation which 
cannot be overthrown. An event that has so 
important a bearing upon all that we believe, 
and all that we hope for, cannot be a matter of 
indifference to us. I therefore propose to con- 
sider, 

I. The proof of the resurrection of Christ. 

II. Some of the reasons why it was neces- 
sary. 

96 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 97 

I. The proof of the resurrection of Christ. 

We rest the proof of the resurrection of 
Christ entirely upon human testimony; upon 
the assertions of those who saw Him after He 
had risen. The apostles and their companions 
are the witnesses to whom we must refer; and 
whose evidence we receive. The apostles above 
all men were in a position to know the truth 
of this event. For they were the intimate 
friends and companions of Christ before His 
death; they were better acquainted with Him 
than any other persons on the face of the 
earth, and therefore could not be deceived in 
regard to the reality of His presence among 
them. To these witnesses Christ showed Him- 
self at different times and places after His 
resurrection. They saw Him and conversed 
with Him. And they all concur and agree in 
the belief and proclamation of the fact that 
Christ had risen from the dead, and had ap- 
peared to them. No less than seven different 
credible authors, namely, the apostles Matthew, 
John, Paul, Peter and James, and the evan- 
gelists Mark and Luke record not fewer than 
eleven distinct appearances of Christ after 
His resurrection and previous to His ascension, 
and at least two appearances after His ascen- 
sion. 

^ ' On these various appearances, ' ' it has been 
remarked, ''that Christ was seen at different 



98 THE BESUREECTION OF CHRIST. 

tours of the day — early in the morning by 
Mary Magdalene and the other women, during 
the day by Peter, by the seven disciples at the 
sea of Tiberias, by the apostles at His ascen- 
sion, and by Stephen — and in the evening by 
the ten apostles, and by Cleopas and his com- 
panion — so they could not possibly be mistaken 
as to the reality of His person. But we no- 
where read that He appeared at midnight, 
when the senses and imagination might be im- 
posed upon. Further, the several distances of 
time and place at which Jesus showed Himself, 
merit attention. His first two appearances 
were early in the morning on which He arose. 
One of them was close by the sepulchre, the 
other on the way from it to Jerusalem. The 
third on some part of the same day. The 
fourth in the evening of that day, on the road 
to Emmaus, and in a house in that village, 
which was between seven and eight miles from 
Jerusalem. The fifth at Jerusalem at a later 
hour of the same evening. The sixth a week 
after at the same city. The seventh about 
sixty miles from it at the sea of Tiberias. The 
time and place at which He was seen by James 
are not recorded. A ninth appearance was in 
some other part of Galilee. Forty days after 
His resurrection He again met the apostles at 
Jerusalem and led them out to Bethany, that 
they might see Him go up to the Father. A 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 99 

few years after this, Stephen saw Him; and in 
about a year from that time He appeared to 
Paul near Damascus." 

These proofs are complete and afford us 
ample evidence of the truth of the resurrection 
of Christ. The apostles could not be mistaken. 
What they saw and heard, that declare they 
unto us. 

But unbelief, always shifting its ground, and 
making up excuses for itself, may assert that 
the apostles have deceived us in this matter — 
that they have related what is not true — and 
have palmed a falsehood upon the world. To 
which I reply that it is impossible for the 
apostles to deceive us. 

1. For in the first place they were poor, un- 
learned, simple minded, timid men. They had 
but recently been called from their honest and 
laborious occupation of fishermen. They were 
illiterate. They were totally unacquainted 
with the way of the world. Their knowledge 
consisted for the most part in knowing how to 
mend their boats and nets, and to entrap the 
habitants of the waters. And it is not to be 
supposed that such men could conceive such 
an imposture and succeed in palming it off 
upon so many; and in their ignorance aild sim- 
plicity hoodwink the learning of the world, 
especially since there were so many of their 
enemies around them who were ready to de- 



100 THE KESUKRECTION OF CHRIST. 

tect and expose the least tMng to which sus- 
picion might attach itself. Besides, the 
apostles after the death of Christ were thrown 
into consternation and dismay. They were like 
sheep without a shepherd — frightened and 
fearful. They knew not what moment the exe- 
cutioners might come to put them to the same 
cruel death they had inflicted upon their Mas- 
ter. And it would be absurd to think that men, 
under such circumstances and at such a time, 
would attempt to plan and impose a deception 
upon the world. In addition to this, it was 
only upon the most certain and infallible evi- 
dence that they would believe the event them- 
selves. They would trust nothing but the testi- 
mony of their own eyes, and ears, and hands, 
**and regarded the accounts of their com- 
panions, whom on all other occasions they 
esteemed persons of unstained veracity, as idle 
tales. ' ' And it is not reasonable to suppose 
that men would be so bold in proclaiming a 
thing upon insufficient evidence of its truth, 
who were so chary in believing it themselves. 
2. Again. The apostles have given us the 
most certain proof that men can give, that 
they believed what they proclaimed, that 
Christ had risen from the dead. They had 
nothing to gain by this assertion, but every- 
thing to lose. They evinced their sincerity by 
voluntarily exposing themselves to scorn, tor- 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 101 

tures, persecutions, and even death in making 
the declaration that they did. The scourge, 
the prison and the cross, were what they had 
to expect in preaching the resurrection of 
Christ, and the religion which it sealed. Every- 
where they were hated ; calumniated ; despised ; 
hunted from city to city; thrust into prison; 
scourged; stoned; put to death. All these ex- 
cruciating sufferings were endured to attest 
the resurrection of Christ: for the whole gos- 
pel system rested upon this fact. As one of 
their number declared, ^ * If Christ be not risen, 
then is our preaching vain.^' Now the apostles 
would not have incurred such losses and sub- 
jected themselves to such torments if they had 
not been sure that Christ had risen. Men are 
not so infatuated with the rack as to allow 
themselves to be stretched upon it for the sake 
of a falsehood. They are not so in love with 
the cross as to allow themselves to be nailed to 
it for propagating a story which they know to 
be a lie. But the apostles bore all that was 
heaped upon them for the sake of what they 
proclaimed ; and sealed their belief in the truth 
of what they declared with their blood. 

3. The apostles proved that Christ had 
really risen from the dead by working miracles 
in His name. ^^He who affirms a thing, and to 
prove the truth of it does a miracle, brings God 
as a voucher of the truth of what he says." 



102 THE KESUEEECTION OF CHEIST. 

The apostles did work miracles in proof of 
what they asserted, and of this declaration 
among the rest. On one occasion a certain 
lame man, who had been in that state more 
than forty years, and who had been carried and 
laid daily at the gate of the temple called Beau- 
tiful, to receive alms of them that entered into 
the temple, was cured of his lameness by Peter : 
who when he was questioned about it said, **Be 
it known unto you all, and to all the people of 
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of 
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised 
from the dead, even by Him, doth this man 
stand here before you whole. ' ' God would not 
lend His power to impostors, and confirm and 
ratify a lie that had been declared in His name, 
for the purpose of deceiving mankind. And 
yet we must either believe that He would do so, 
which would be blasphemous; or else receive 
and credit the testimony of the apostles and 
evangelists. 

From all this it appears that the apostles 
had the best means of knowing that Christ 
arose from the dead. They had the same evi- 
dence that He was alive again which they had 
of the life of each other; the same evidence 
which we have that those around us, with whom 
we are daily brought in contact are alive; 
namely, personal and continued intercourse 
with them. Being assured of this fact, and 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 103 

knowing that it was one of the cardinal doc- 
trines of Christianity, they declared it, and 
sealed their firm persuasion of what they de- 
clared by their sufferings, their miracles and 
their deaths. Upon their testimony we receive 
and hold it as an event that really transpired, 
and as a fact that cannot be denied, that **The 
Lord is risen indeed.'' 

II. Consider some of the reasons why it was 
necessary. 
The resurrection was necessary in the 
1. First place in order to confirm His mis- 
sion and gospel. As Christ by His death paid 
down a satisfaction for sin, so His resurrection 
was necessary to show that that satisfaction 
had been received and accepted. He was ** de- 
livered for our offenses and raised again for 
our justification.'' Had He continued in the 
grave, and under the power of death, there 
would have been no evidence that His work 
had any value in it. The world could not be- 
lieve that He had satisfied for sin, so long as 
He was under the dominion of death, which 
was the wages of sin. No one could place con- 
fidence or trust in a Saviour to deliver him 
from death who was not delivered from it Him- 
self. If the resurrection had not followed the 
crucifixion, that scoff of the Jews had stood as 
an unanswerable argument against Him, 



104 THE BESURKECTION OF CHRIST. 

' * Himself He cannot save. ' ' He came to break 
the power of sin, to triumph over ** principal- 
ities and powers and spiritual wickedness in 
high places/' and how could He accomplish 
this work if He fell a victim to wicked men and 
remained a captive Himself. But His resur- 
rection from the dead proved that His blood 
was not shed in vain, and that the ransom He 
paid was pleasing and acceptable to God. By 
raising Him from the dead God put His seal 
to His mission and work. Had Christ not risen 
the whole gospel system would have fallen to 
the ground. The resurrection is the pillar upon 
which the temple of Christianity rests. It is 
the signature of God written in living charac- 
ters, in which He writes His great Name in 
confirmation of the religion Christ came to es- 
tablish. Can any one pretend that God would 
Himself lead men to believe in a pretender, 
and to trust in a deceiver? By raising Christ 
from the dead, He adds the authority of the 
Father to that of the Son: enjoining us to re- 
ceive all the doctrines He taught, and to obey 
all the commands He gave. The resurrection 
of Christ is a confirmation of the fact that He 
was what He professed to be, and that His 
words were true, and that His work was ac- 
cepted and owned of God. 

2. It was necessary again that Christ should 
rise in order to triumph over His enemies* 



THE EESUERECTION OF CHRIST. 105 

The darkness that enveloped the land at His 
death was not deeper than the gloom that over- 
spread the hearts of His disciples and friends. 
They were dejected and sad. Their hopes were 
buried with the Master in the sepulchre. They 
had looked to Him as the Messiah whom their 
prophets had foretold, and whom they had so 
long expected. They had regarded Him as 
their Eedeemer. And now He had been taken 
by the hands of wicked men and slain. De- 
pression rested upon the spirit of the church. 
**It seemed as if the name of Jesus and His 
cause were forever entombed in the grave.'' 
And His friends and followers were not more 
dejected and oppressed than His enemies were 
exultant and rejoiced. They had been track- 
ing His footsteps through the whole course of 
His ministry. They could not endure His un- 
masking of their corruptions and hypocrisy. 
They could not submit to have His claims ac- 
knowledged. They could not bear to have all 
their fond anticipations of earthly renown and 
glory so completely set aside by this poor, de- 
spised Nazarene. They could not permit them- 
selves to be stripped of their power and influ- 
ence with the people ; as this Jesus bid fair to 
do for them. And now He was removed. They 
had seen Him led out and nailed to the cross. 
They had witnessed His death agony and heard 
His expiring cry. They had sealed His sepul- 



106 THE KESUEKECTION OF CHEIST. 

chre and placed a guard around it, so that His 
loody should not be removed. He was now 
safely put out of the way and would trouble 
them no more. During His abode in the grave 
they were exultant and joyous. *^But how 
gloriously was the scene reversed by His resur- 
rection !*' The eclipse which the Sun of right- 
eousness had suffered had passed away only to 
rQveal Him shining more brilliantly than be- 
fore. Now He was raised far above the reach 
of His enemies. The degradation to which they 
had subjected Him was only allowed that His 
exaltation might be the greater. His sepulchre 
was the stepping-stone to His throne. His de- 
scent into the grave must needs go before His 
ascent into heaven. *^The person of the 
Saviour was forever removed beyond the reach 
of further assault, and His cause was more 
than ever triumphant." His foes were van- 
quished, and He was vindicated. He had 
spoiled principalities and powers, and made a 
show of them, openly triumphing over them. 
**God had highly exalted Him, and given Him 
a name which is above every name, that at the 
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things 
in heaven and things in earth, things under the 
earth; and that every tongue should confess 
that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God 
the Father." And to His friends His resur- 
rection was a thing of joy. They were ''glad 



THE KESUKRECTION OF CHRIST. 107 

when they saw the Lord.'^ Now He was com- 
pletely exempt from danger. He was restored 
to them once more, and none of His enemies 
could have power over Him again. *^He had 
told them, * Ye shall have sorrow ; but your sor- 
row shall be turned into joy, and your joy no 
man taketh from you.' " 

The return of our Lord to His friends and 
His triumph over His enemies, was a pledge 
that He would always be with His church and 
protect her from the attacks of her foes; and 
that He would finally put down all enemies un- 
der His feet. His words to His disciples sent 
them to preach the gospel to every creature, 
were **Lo I am with you alway even unto the 
end of the world. '* There would be no more 
painful separations, no more dark despon- 
dencies and gloomy fears on account of the ab- 
sence of the Lord. Though removed from 
sight. He would still be among His followers. 
His power would shield and protect them. His 
Spirit would guide them. They were now as- 
sured that greater is He that is in the church, 
than He that is in the world. And His pre- 
vailing over His enemies then was a pledge and 
token that He would finally triumph over all 
His foes. 

3. The resurrection of Christ was necessary 
in order that He might overcome death. Death 
had reigned from Adam through all genera- 



108 THE EESUERECTION OF CHRIST. 

tions. It entered into the world with sin; and 
as long as sin prevailed it held dominion. He 
who came to break the power of sin must con- 
quer it. Myriads had descended into the grave, 
none of whom had been able to burst the 
shackles that bound them, and set themselves 
free. The king of terrors held undisputed 
sway over the whole race. All mankind had 
been compelled to acknowledge His authority 
and bow to His decree. The world had looked 
in gloomy sadness upon generation after gen- 
eration walking to the grave. 

No one hitherto had been able to stand up 
and enter into contest with the mighty con- 
queror. But at the resurrection, Death was 
foiled and conquered. He met with One who 
was fully equal to enter into combat with Him 
— One to whom all power was given, and who 
came off victorious. Henceforth His pains 
were loosed and mortality gave place to im- 
mortality. Though death still retains the sem- 
blance of his power, yet there is coming a day 
when he will be completely put under our feety 
and graves and tombs will mar our world no 
more. 

Upon that morn when the Saviour rose 
triumphant from the tomb, no doubt shouts 
and songs of praise from the celestial choirs 
broke the stillness of heaven. Multitudes of 
the angelic hosts assembled to greet their risem 



THE RESUKKECTION OF CHEIST. 109 

king. His work was done, the battle fought, 
the victory won. Joy and gladness were dif- 
fused through a wondering and adoring uni- 
verse. Mortals have most reason to join in 
this gladness and rejoicing. It was their mor- 
tality the Saviour took that He might clothe it 
with immortality. It was their corruption that 
He assumed, that He might exchange it for 
incorruption. What everlasting gratitude is 
due to Him for His work on our behalf ! What 
songs of praise should arise from our hearts 
and lips for the victory He has won. Let us 
rejoice on this glad day of our risen Lord, and 
ever hail it as commemorating the triumph He 
has won. 



** And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld he was 
taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." — Acts 1: 9. 

THEEE are five great transactions in the 
history of our Lord which stand out 
more prominently than the rest, and 
wtich form so many centres, around which 
other incidents may be grouped. These are His 
incarnation, His crucifixion, His resurrection, 
His ascension and His second coming. Each 
one of these events is a subject of absorbing 
interest to our race, for they are the chief acts 
through which He secures for us all the bless- 
ings we have hitherto enjoyed or shall enjoy, 
and by which He laid the foundation of our 
future well being and consummates it. In 
events that are of so much moment, and which 
involve so much of benefit to man, it is impor- 
tant that we should have good and sufficient 
proof that they actually occurred in the man- 
ner represented. And God in His tender and 
allwise providence has so ordered it that the 
great central facts which have taken place are 
testified to by men who are our fellows, selected 
out of our own number, and who had no interest 

110 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. Ill 

in deceiving, but every inducement to tell the 
truth. 

On that memorable night vrhen the Saviour 
of the world was born, a heavenly messenger 
conveyed the glad tidings to the shepherds who 
were watching their flocks, while all nature was 
bathed in slumber. And led by the joyous 
news imparted to them, and by the strange 
sight which they had beheld, they went to the 
place where the young child was, and saw Him 
lying in His manger cradle as the angel had 
told them. Wise men from the east also, 
guided by the bright star that had appeared in 
the heavens, came to present their offerings 
and pay their adoration to the new born king. 

His crucifixion is also a fact well known. It 
was a large multitude which assembled around 
the judgment hall of Pilate, and called for the 
crucifixion of our Lord; that attended Him on 
His sad way to the hill of Calvary and gazed 
upon Him while He was hanging upon the 
cross. The chief priests and scribes, the Jew- 
ish populace, the Eoman soldiers and the 
friends of Jesus all witnessed that scene. The 
governor gives his testimony to His death by 
permitting His body to be taken down from the 
cross, and His enemies, the Jews, testify to the 
same by placing the seal on His sepulchre. The 
same clear testimony is given to His resur- 
rection. No less than seven different credible 



112 THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 

authors record not fewer than eleven distinct 
appearances of our Lord after He arose from 
the dead and previous to His ascension, and at 
least two appearances after His ascension. 
And He was seen by at least five hundred per- 
sons upon this earth after He arose from the 
grave, at different times and places, for a 
period of forty days. Luke says of this that 
our Saviour ^^ shewed Himself alive after His 
passion by many infallible proofs, being seen 
fprty days and speaking of the things pertain- 
ing to the kingdom of God.'' 

In regard to the ascension of Christ, there 
is also abundant evidence. Jesus, in the pres- 
ence of His apostles, stood upon the mount of 
Olives. He there gave them His last directions 
in regard to their mission upon earth. And 
while He was thus standing in the midst of 
them, engaged in conversation, ** while they 
beheld, He was taken up ; and a cloud received 
Him out of their sight. ' ' He ascended up into 
heaven from whence He had come, and to the 
celestial seat He had vacated. 

It is this last great event which this season 
particularly invites us to consider. The in- 
carnation of Christ we celebrated at the be- 
ginning of the church year, in the joyous events 
that attend Christmas day. The crucifixion 
was commemorated by the solemn services of 
Good Friday. His resurrection by the glad 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 113 

announcements of Easter. And now His as- 
cension demands our attention. And in our 
considerations of it, we propose to speak of 
the objects gained by the ascension of Christ. 
1. The first object gained by Christ in His 
ascension is the attainment of Supreme power. 
Peter, speaking of Him, says, ^*Him hath God 
exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and 
a Saviour.'' Paul in his epistle to the Ephe- 
sians tells us that God raised Christ from the 
dead and ^^set Him at His own right hand in 
the heavenly places, far above all principality 
and power, and might and dominion, and every 
name that is named not only in this world, but 
also in that which is to come, and hath put all 
things under His feet." Again Peter informs 
us that Christ *4s gone into heaven, and is on 
the right hand of God, angels and authorities 
and powers being made subject unto Him.'' 
The meek and lowly Jesus who walked upon 
this earth in so much humility, has been ex- 
alted on high. Heaven is His throne and earth 
is His footstool. All power in heaven and on 
earth is committed unto Him. He wields the 
sceptre of universal dominion. He has re- 
ceived an abundant reward for all His sor- 
rows while upon earth. Jesus Christ now 
guides the helm of the Universe. The highest 
archangels pay their willing allegiance to Him ; 
and throughout the realms of space His man- 



114 THE ASCENSION OF CHKIST. 

dates are obeyed. John in apocalyptic vision 
saw a great multitude which no man could 
number stand before the throne and before the 
Lamb, who cried with a loud voice saying, 
^^ Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the 
throne, and unto the Lamb.'' ^^And all the 
angels stood round about the throne and fell 
before the throne on their faces and worshipped 
God, saying Amen : Blessing and glory and wis- 
dom and thanksgiving and honor and power 
atid might, be unto our God forever and ever. ' ^ 
2. A second object gained by Christ in His 
ascension was a triumph over his foes. He 
was hated as well as feared by all the enemies 
of unrighteousness. Satan, the arch enemy of 
all that is good, well knew that in Jesus was 
centered all the hopes for the salvation of our 
race. He had waged war against God and upon 
man ever since his first fatal effort in Eden. 
He was well aware that if he failed in the great 
battle to be fought, nothing but eternal con- 
fusion and despair awaited him. He sum- 
moned all his power to enter into his terrible 
contest with the Christ of God. He began his 
efforts as soon as the infant Jesus appeared 
upon our earth, and in that cruel massacre 
which Herod ordered at his instigation, would 
have removed the heavenly babe from our 
world before He could benefit it, had not di- 
vine power interposed in His behalf. And 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 115 

when Jesus entered upon His ministry, how 
artfully and deceitfully did he endeavor by 
those sharp temptations in the wilderness to 
overcome the Redeemer. Baffled here, he still 
pursued his object with unrelenting malice and 
fell hatred. The Saviour of the world was fol- 
lowed with persecution upon persecution 
throughout all the years of His ministry. And 
at last the powers of darkness met with ap- 
parent success. The Son of God was delivered 
into the hands of those who thirsted for His 
blood. Condemned to an ignominious death, 
He was led out unresistingly to the place of 
His crucifixion, and there nailed to the cross 
and raised up to die. Death's fetters were not 
strong enough to bind down the Prince of Life. 
Three short days only did He remain in the 
grave. And then, to the astonishment of all 
His foes, rising in His power from the tomb, 
He ascended up on high leading captivity cap- 
tive. Now He is beyond their reach. *^ Hav- 
ing spoiled principalities and powers. He made 
a show of them openly, triumphing over them. ' ' 

" Here lay the Holy One, the Christ of God, 

He who for death gave death, and life for life; 
Our heavenly Kinsman, our true flesh and blood. 

Victor for us on hell's dark field of strife. 
The Conqueror, not the conquered, He to whom 

The keys of death and of the grave belong. 
Crossed the cold threshhold of the stranger's tomb, 

To spoil the spoiler, and to bind the strong." 



116 THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 

3. In the third place Christ ascended in or- 
der to bestow blessings npon His church. 
Wherefore He saith, ^^When He ascended up 
on high, He led captivity captive and gave 
gifts unto men. And He gave some apostles; 
and some prophets ; and some evangelists ; and 
some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting 
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for 
the edifying of the body of Christ." And 
among these blessings bestowed after His as- 
cension was the great gift of the Holy Ghost. 
Before His death He said to His disciples, **It 
is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go 
not away, the Comforter will not come unto 
you ; but if I depart I will send Him unto you. ' ' 
And upon that memorable day of Pentecost, 
when this promise was fulfilled to the apostles, 
when they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, 
Peter standing up in the midst of the apostles 
said to the assembled multitude that Jesus, 
** being by the right hand of God exalted, and 
having received of the Father the promise of 
the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this which 
ye now see and hear.'' Under the influence of 
the Spirit, the apostles went forth preaching 
the gospel and working wonderful miracles in 
confirmation of the same. Soon their fame 
spread abroad. Multitudes were converted ; 
and churches were established in all parts of 
the then known world. The Spirit continues to 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 117 

be given and has been with the church in all 
ages. He still acts in enlightening, converting 
and sanctifying every believer. This great gift 
is yet bestowed, for our Lord has given us the 
promise that we shall receive it if we seek it. 

* * If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts 
unto your children, how much more shall your 
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them 
that ask Him.'' 

4. Still another object for which Christ as- 
cended was to intercede for us. He has as- 
cended up into the immediate presence of God 
to carry on the work of an High Priest, on be- 
half of His people. Paul tells us that *Sve 
have a great High Priest that is passed into 
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God'' — **not into 
the holy places made with hands, which are 
figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now 
to appear in the presence of God for us." 
**Not with the blood of goats aijd calves, but 
with His own blood. He entered "bnce into the 
holy place," and is **even at the right hand of 
God making intercession for us." *^And by 
these holy services which are now going on in 
heaven He obtains eternal redemption for us. ' ' 

* ^ There He maintains our cause ; ' ' there, as our 
Intercessor, He offers the incense of His own 
petitions, and pleads the merits of His own 
blood, and obtains for us the blessings we seek 
both as to body and soul. ** Wherefore He is 



118 THE ASCENSION OF CHEIST. 

able to save to the uttermost all them that come 
unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to 
make intercession for them.'^ How eloquent 
are His wounds! How powerful is the merit 
of His sacrifice! How effective is the voice 
that arises from that blood, that speaketh bet- 
ter things than that of Abel. 

5. Again Christ ascended as the forerunner 
of His people. Just before He left this world 
He told His disciples that He would come again 
to receive them unto Himself, that where He 
is, they might be also. ^^Two persons had as- 
cended before Christ — Enoch and Elias. But 
they ascended as private individuals, and it 
did not follow that because they ascended 
others would also : they were not so connected 
with others as to move them by their influence. 
But Christ attracts and draws millions. His 
glory is a pledge of our own. Because He lives, 
we shall live also.'' So certain is it that the 
followers of Jesus shall be exalted as He is that 
the apostle contemplates the work as already 
consummated, and says we are *^ raised up and 
made to sit together with Him in heavenly 
places.'' Paul, speaking of the Christian's 
hope says, ** Which hope we have as an anchor 
to the soul both sure and steadfast, and which 
entereth into that within the vail; whither the 
forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus made 
an High Priest forever after the order of 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 119 

Melchisedek. ' ' He has entered there as the 
first among many brethren. When the ever- 
lasting gates were lifted up to let the King of 
Glory come in, they remained open to afford a 
free ingress for all who are marshalled under 
His banners, and who are following Him on to 
victory. He has gone before; soon there shall 
be- gathered around Him a ** multitude which 
no man can number, out of all nations and kin- 
dreds and people and tongues. ' ' The presence 
of Jesus in those celestial abodes insures the 
arrival of His saints there in due time. Where 
He is they must be also. No power can defeat 
the Christian if he rightly struggle for his 
heavenly home. ^^ Neither death, nor life, nor 
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height, 
nor depth, nor any other creature shall be 
able ' ' to rob us of our reward if we only labor 
for it in the proper way. Jesus has already 
gone to His reward. The heavens have re- 
ceived Him, and He will see to it that no one 
of His humble followers shall be dragged away 
from the skies. Our struggles and prayers and 
tears shall not be thrown away. They will 
eventuate in triumph. The heavens may some- 
times be dark above us; trouble may encom- 
pass our path, yet let not our energies flag, let 
not our feet grow weary or our hands hang 
idly down, the time will come when sorrow and 



120 THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 

sighing shall flee away, the cross give place to 
the crown, and the shout of triumph arise from 
lips that once trembled with fear. Heaven is 
ours. Jesus has taken possession of it. He 
offers a place in it for every believing, faith- 
ful soul. He cannot, will not disappoint. Take 
to yourselves then the whole armor of God, and 
press onward for the prize. 

"Be brave, my brother! 

The recompense is great, 
The kingdom bright and fair; 

Beyond the glory of all earthly state, 
Shall be the glory there. 

Grudge not the heavy cost. 
Faint not at labor here, 

'Tis but a life time at the most, 
The day of rest is near." 

6. The last object which I shall mention, for 
which Christ ascended, was that He might pre- 
pare a place for His people. Just before the 
time when He was to be offered up, when His 
disciples were gathered around Him, sad on 
account of His departure from them. He com- 
forted them with these words, **Let not your 
heart be troubled: ye believe in God; believe 
also in Me. In My Father's house are many 
mansions; if it were not so I would have told 
you. 1 go to prepare a place for you,'' On 
that work He is engaged, fitting and arranging 
a place for the everlasting and blissful abode 



THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 121 

of His saints — that heavenly Jerusalem, that 
firmly founded city for which Abraham looked, 
whose builder and maker is God. John in the 
Eevelation saw * * that great city, the holy Jeru- 
salem, descending out of heaven from God, 
having the glory of God : and her light was like 
unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper 
stone, clear as crystal.'' **And the building of 
the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was 
pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foun- 
dations of the wall of the city were. garnished 
with all manner of precious stones. Its twelve 
gates were twelve pearls." And he **saw no 
temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, 
and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the 
city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon 
to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten 
it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.'' And 
'*they which are written in the Lamb's book 
of life" shall enter therein. These are the 
mansions Jesus our ascended Lord has gone to 
prepare. Tongue cannot describe the glorious 
creation of the great Architect. And when all 
things are ready and the appointed time has 
come, our blessed Saviour shall return again 
to this earth, to receive His faithful ones to 
Himself in these abodes prepared by His own 
hands. On that memorable day when He was 
caught up out of sight of the apostles from the 
mount of Olives, while they steadfastly gazed 



122 THE ASCENSION OF CHEIST. 

toward heaven as He went up, * * two men stood 
by them in white apparel, which also said. Ye 
men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into 
heaven ? this same Jesus which is taken up from 
you into heaven shall so come in like manner 
as ye have seen Him go into heaven/^ And 
some of these days when the world is all un- 
prepared for it, and men are going on in their 
courses of sin and worldliness, the heavens 
shall open and Christ attended with ten thou- 
sand of His saints shall descend again to earth, 
**to be admired of all that believe," and to 
take ** vengeance on them that know not God, 
and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ/' 

**The church has waited long 
Her absent Lord to see; 
And still in loneliness she waits, 

A friendless stranger she. 
Age after age has gone, 
Sun after sun has set, 
And still in weeds of widowhood. 
She weeps a mourner yet. 
Come, then, Lord Jesus, come! 

The whole creation groans, 

And waits to hear that voice, 
That shall restore her comeliness, 

And make her wastes rejoice. 
Come, Lord, and wipe away 

The curse, the sin, the stain. 
And make this blighted world of ours 

Thine own fair world again. 

Come, then, Lord Jesus, come! " 



2Ilf» dlaruitta (Eliurrlf 

"A glorious Church."— Eph. 5: 27. 

THE Church is the community — or, as it is 
expressed in the Apostles' Creed — *^the 
communion of saints.'' It has the Lord 
Jesus Christ for its Head, and all who believe 
in Him and are identified with Him, for its 
members. It is partly on earth, partly in 
Paradise. Those of its members who are yet 
on earth struggling, are in the state militant; 
those who have passed away from earth are in 
the state triumphant; but all alike belong to 
the one church. It has its representatives from 
all nations, languages and zones ; it has existed 
in all the ages, and will exist through all eter- 
nity. It is bound together by its allegiance to 
One Head, by its profession of one faith, and 
by its reception of the same Baptism. There 
has been no institution like it on the earth, nor 
shall it give way to any successor. However 
it may be contemplated, it may well be styled 
in the language of the text: '^A glorious 
church,** 

I. It is glorious on account of its origin. Its 
origin is divine. It springs not from the earth, 

123 



124 THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 

nor is it the work of man. Human wisdom 
could not have devised it ; human energy could 
not have established it ; human effort could not 
have preserved it. It is an institution come 
from heaven, planned in heaven, and estab- 
lished and kept by heavenly power. It is a 
thing altogether above the reach of worldly 
aspiration or worldly achievement. God in 
His Word claims it as His. Jesus Christ the 
Qod-Man is declared to be its chief corner- 
stone. **Now, therefore," says Paul, **ye are 
no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow- 
citizens with the saints and of the household 
of God! and are built upon the foundation of 
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Him- 
self being the chief corner-stone: In whom all 
the building fitly framed together, groweth 
unto an holy temple unto the Lord. In whom 
ye also are builded together for an habitation 
of God through the Spirit." Of Christ it is 
said that *^God hath put all things under His 
feet, and gave Him to be head over all things 
to the Church, which is His body, the fullness 
of Him that filleth all in all." The church is 
called '^God^s building," the '* flock of God," 
the ** house of God," the ** church of the living 
God." No other institution among men is 
spoken of in such terms as these, and no others 
can claim a divine origin except that of the 
family and state government. The Great Ar- 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 125 

<}hitect of the Universe therefore is the founder 
and builder of the church. God has stooped 
from the skies and planted His holy habitation 
among the children of men and made it the 
place of His abode. It is here He reveals Him- 
self. It is here His laws are given. It is here 
His purposes with regard to men are made 
known. It is here His grace is found. It is 
here that heaven communicates with earth, and 
a way is opened by which earth may communi- 
cate with heaven. It is through the church that 
Ood lays hold upon an apostate world, and pre- 
vents it from being wrested from His rightful 
sway. The church, therefore, comes from God. 
The great, the majestic, the adorable Being 
who alone is to be worshipped and feared and 
obeyed is its founder. The seal of the Triune 
God is upon it. Its origin is glorious because 
it is divine. 

Of all the institutions and associations of 
men none can claim such an origin as this. All 
others, however good and benevolent their ob- 
jects are essentially of the earth — earthy. 
They are characterized by the weakness, the 
errors and the sinfulness of their founders and 
members. Man cannot by his own eifort rise 
higher than himself. Because of his impotence 
he cannot even attain unto his own standard 
of perfection, and that will necessarily be low 
inasmuch as he is a sinful mortal. All his 



126 THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 

labors, therefore, will be marked by Ms imper- 
fections, and will be more or less marred and 
disjointed and defective. If be is enabled to 
accomplish anything at all essentially good, it 
is only by the aid of divine grace, and this is 
obtained only through the church. And if he 
attempt to unite principles of his own devising, 
which will necessarily partake of his own na- 
ture, with divine principles, he mingles things 
at variance with each other and builds a house 
divided against itself, which Christ Himself 
declares cannot stand. Imperfection attaches 
to all his works, and nothing that is not per- 
fect will endure forever. We must build on 
eternal truth, if we would build for eternity. 
The world and the fashion thereof passeth 
away. And however glorious to our eyes may 
be the fabrics which we rear, and whatever 
wisdom, pains and wealth may be spent in 
their construction, if they are the result of 
human effort, even the greatest, and if our, 
frailty and mortality are connected with them, 
we must look to see them all swept away, so 
that not a vestige shall remain. And if our 
attachments and hopes are clustered around 
them, we must expect nothing but disappoint- 
ment. It is God's hand that has formed the 
church. He laid its foundations broad and 
deep, and established them on the Eock of 
Ages. As coming from Him it is perfect. He 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 127 

established no other institution as supplemen- 
tary to it ; and in His gracious workings among 
men, He knows of no other. All mere human 
institutions are built upon the sand, and must 
be swept away when the wave of trial comes. 
They are transitory. Feebleness mars them, 
because they are human. The Church was 
formed by Almighty God. It bears the impress 
of Divinity. 

II. It is glorious in the work of its estab- 
lishment. 

It was established with many mighty won- 
ders and at much cost and labor. God founded 
it and employed the greatest and mightiest and 
best of our race as co-workers with Himself in 
its construction. His omniscient and all wise 
mind devised its plan, and His omnipotent 
hand wrought upon it through various heav- 
enly and earthly agencies, over centuries of 
time. Prophets commissioned from on high 
and inspired by the Holy Ghost, spoke of it and 
made known its blessedness to sinful men, and 
prepared the way for its full development. The 
great Jehovah spoke from the heavens and re- 
vealed His intentions and purposes concerning 
it. For its laws from the skies, containing the 
great moral law that rules throughout the com- 
panies of God's hosts in the wide universe, 
were given and engraven on earth's tablets by 
the hand of the great Artificer Himself. Angels 



128 THE GLOKIOUS CHUKCH. 

left their posts of glory and high dignity in 
the celestial courts and at the Father's bidding 
descended to this His footstool, to carry out 
His commands in regard to it. A peculiar peo- 
ple was called to be the keeper of the Oracles 
of the Most High, and by most wonderful acts 
and miraculous interpositions of Divine Prov- 
idence were they delivered and preserved and 
defended from their enemies, that they might 
h^ the guardians of its truth, and that through 
them God's counsels concerning it might be 
brought to pass. Patriarchs and prophets, 
kings and princes, and spiritual and earthly 
principalities labored and toiled for its com- 
pletion. Millions of treasure were spent upon 
it. God Himself, that His church might rise, 
humbled Himself and took upon Him the form 
of a servant and was made in the likeness of 
men. He vacated His seat of loftiest eminence ; 
united Himself to dust and ashes and was sub- 
jected to all the pains and sorrows of poor 
death-stricken mortality that He might labor 
and suffer for it. As thus manifest in the flesh 
the Son of God devoted His life on earth to its 
firm establishment. He submitted Himself to 
subtle temptations of the malicious devil; en- 
dured the hard and bitter lot of poverty; 
preached the eternal truth of heaven from 
place to place, and from house to house to a 
blinded and unheeding world ; he wrought mir- 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 129 

acles of wonder upon the living, upon the dead, 
upon the winds, upon the waves, and controlled 
good and evil spirits alike by a word; He was 
pursued by implacable foes with unvarying 
hate ; He was condemned at a heathen tribunal 
amid the clamors of a maddened populace, who 
would only be satisfied with His blood; and 
though innocent of transgression. He was cru- 
cified in ignominy and shame between two 
criminals suffering for their wicked deeds. All 
this He endured that His church might be es- 
tablished forever as a refuge for sin stricken 
humanity. The grave and the powers of hell 
were conquered by His resurrection, and all 
power has been committed into His hands, in 
that He ascended up on high and is seated 
down at the right hand of God, **far above all 
principality and power and might and domin- 
ion, and every name that is named, not only 
in this world, but also in that which is to 
come,'' all things are put under His feet, and 
He is **head over all to the church." And 
since that day the Holy Ghost has been sent, 
the apostles have labored, miracles have been 
performed in the name of Jesus, martyrs have 
suffered and died, and myriads of holy men 
have toiled, unpitying persecutions have been 
endured, battles have been fought, and divine 
grace has been freely bestowed upon men, that 
the Church of Christ might be strengthened 



130 THE GLOEIOUS CHURCH. 

and preserved. History does not record the 
mighty acts which have been performed; nor 
can the world form any idea of the cost of blood 
and treasure and labor which under the hand 
of God have been expended in founding and 
establishing His church. 

III. The Church is glorious in the object for 
which it was established. The great work of 
the church is to save souls, and this includes 
all other work for the good of the world. 

There are many institutions and associations 
in the world established for various and di- 
verse objects. Some are intended to elevate the 
social standing of men. Others to educate their 
mind. Others to provide for bodily wants in 
time of need. Others to establish a kind of 
brotherhood for mutual benefit and good. Oth- 
ers for governmental purposes. Others for the 
promotion of science and art. But there is 
none except the Church which proposes to deal 
with those interests which relate to the spir- 
itual welfare of man, and the salvation of his 
immortal soul. In its operations it has ref- 
erence not only to this world, but to that which 
is to come. It is designed to fit men not only 
for time, but for eternity. It takes in besides 
the little age of this fleeting life, the untold 
ages of the future. It regards not the welfare 
of men simply for the few days in which they 
are allowed to remain here, but deems these 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 131 

important only as being preparatory to that 
endless duration in which a thousand years shall 
be as one day. It contemplates man's good not 
only during that little span of existence 
bounded by birth and death, but also his chief 
good in that state in which he will endure as 
long as God Himself. 

Nor does the church aim merely at the wel- 
fare of the bodies of men or of their intellect. 
It does not seek only the culture of the mind, 
or refinement of thought and feeling and man- 
ners, or advancement in the social state; nor 
does it aim at securing wealth and the ease and 
freedom from want which it brings, or the 
acquisition of power and influence. Nor does 
it strive simply to make men moral, so as to 
promote honesty and fairness in business deal- 
ings, and an avoidance of those crimes which 
are a disgrace to civilization, and those rebel- 
lions to proper authority which undermine the 
stabilities of government. All true good in 
this world it does seek after, and does attain 
in the most perfect manner possible in the 
sinful state to which man has brought himself, 
and the unnatural condition of affairs which 
sin entails. But the church has an object 
higher than all these, which when attained will 
secure all the good that men usually labor for 
and much more than their highest hopes can 
entertain. It is the everlasting salvation of 



132 THE GLOKIOUS CHUKCH. 

men that the church seeks. It was founded 
that souls might be saved from destruction, 
that heaven might be peopled with happy 
saints, and the powers of darkness defeated in 
their malignant designs. If this object is se- 
cured, then all other objects worth striving for 
are secured. If this highest good is reached, 
then the man will be possessed of all good. If 
the soul is saved, then will it be freed from all 
sin, which is the source of all evil, and the cause 
of all misery ; then will the mind of man be re- 
leased from all its fetters and embarrassments, 
and he will see and know even as he is known; 
then will the body be delivered from the evils 
and pains and sicknesses and death to which it 
is now subjected; and endowed with capacities 
and powers to receive and impart happiness 
beyond our present conception, and which eter- 
nity will not impair ; then will be developed in 
perfection those graces and adornments of 
character, which render their possessors so at- 
tractive and lovely; then will blessedness and 
glory crown the brightest and noblest hopes of 
those who once toiled in this sinful world in 
weariness and woe, but who have been re- 
newed after the image of Him who created 
them. The church's gaze is centered on heaven, 
and its hopes are fixed there alone where sure 
and perfect peace may be found. Through it 
the great Eedeemer speaks, and promises rest 



THE GLOKIOUS CHURCH. 133 

to the weary and the heavy laden, and salva- 
tion to the lost. Were it not for the church, the 
mansions of heaven prepared for the saints 
would be deserted, and the cells of the prison 
house of the lost overcrowded with inmates. 
The princes and powers of the empire of evil, 
with their malignant and subtle chief, direct 
all their efforts and assaults against the 
Church of Jesus Christ, knowing that if this 
can be overcome, the victory will be theirs and 
that Satan will then truly be the Prince of this 
world. To defeat this foe of happiness and 
heaven, the Lord is ever at work in His church, 
and gathering trophies from the grasp of 
Satan and introducing them into the company 
of His flock, and preparing them for a celestial 
residence with Himself. No nobler work than 
this could enlist the sympathies of heaven, or 
employ the energies of man. The world to 
come will alone reveal the magnitude of those 
interests with which the church is concerned, 
and the untold rewards which are held in re- 
serve for its members. In view then of the 
great object of its establishment, it is well 
styled '^a glorious church." 

rV. The church is glorious on account of her 
ultimate triumph. Her situation in this world 
has always been lowly. Her members com- 
pared with earth's myriads have been a little 
flock. Her founder as to His earthly connec- 



134 THE GLOKIOUS CHURCH. 

tions was the son of a carpenter, and His days 
were spent in poverty and toil. Her first 
apostles were hnmble fishermen. Her mem- 
bers for the most part have been of the poor, 
without titles and without power. Her foes 
have been great and strong, and have battled 
against her with many persecutions and 
through many centuries. The blood of her 
martyrs has stained the fields of almost all 
lands, and nearly every generation has wit- 
nessed the flames kindled for the burning of 
her children. Divisions have often enfeebled 
her ranks, and defections caused sorrow 
throughout all her borders. Hypocrites and 
deceivers have crept into her fold and brought 
dishonor upon her and turned many from the 
faith. Many of those whose names have been 
enrolled upon her records have given her at 
best but a divided love, and finally have for- 
saken her overcome by the deceitfulness of 
riches, or the cares of this world, or the fear of 
persecution. Many a merciless wave has 
dashed its force against her, and many a rag- 
ing tempest has spent its fury upon her. 
Strained and weather-beaten, she has ploughed 
the waters of affliction, often with the sky en- 
tirely overcast, without a gleam of sunshine or 
the sight of a single star, guided only by the 
compass of faith which points to Him who con- 
trols the winds, and holds the waters in His 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH, 135 

hand. But amidst all her adversities and 
struggles she has still maintained her place and 
kept on in her appointed work. Though ridi- 
culed by the giddy, sneered at by the proud 
and self-righteous, downtrodden by the mighty, 
she has ever been the refuge of the weary, the 
reliever of distress, the consoler of the de- 
sponding, the dispenser of pardon and peace to 
the penitent, and the home of the God-fearing 
and the true-hearted. With all her discourage- 
ments and hindrances she has been streng- 
thening and maturing for immortality. De- 
pressed and derided, nevertheless she has 
gathered to her fold the greatest and noblest 
of the race, and decked her crown with the 
brightest of earth's jewels. Like her Lord and 
Master she has meekly suffered, but fulfilled 
her mission; and though maltreated and 
scourged she has blessed even her enemies, 
though they knew it not. She has triumphed 
in the good she has done, and the souls she has 
plucked as brands from the burning. 

But still greater triumphs await her. The 
day is coming when she shall receive double 
for all her troubles, when she shall prevail 
over all the earth, when the heathen shall be 
given to her for her inheritance, and the utter- 
most parts of the earth for her possession. 
The Word of God 'speaks of a time when na- 
tions shall bring their glory unto her, and kings 



136 THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 

and princes lay down their sceptres at her 
feet. Already the myriad hosts, gathered from 
every land and clime, are waiting with longing 
and glad anticipation, the arrival of the hour, 
known in the counsels of God, when decked in 
her bridal robes, she shall be presented before 
the face of Him who has saved and washed her 
in His blood. On that glad coronation day 
shall she stand vindicated before an admiring 
universe, while all her treacherous and open 
foes, as well as her spiritual enemies, shall hide 
themselves from her presence in the blackness 
of* darkness forever. Then from that great 
throng, clad in white robes and with palms of 
victory in their hands, shall burst forth the 
long pent up song of praise, ** Salvation to our 
God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb." '^Amen. Blessing, and glory, and 
wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and 
power, and might, be unto our God forever and 
ever." And throughout the endless day of 
heaven's eternity, shall the church abide in the 
presence of Him who has redeemed her, safe 
and blessed evermore. Exalted to seats of dig- 
nity and honor, her portion henceforth shall be 
in that kingdom which knows no end. Her 
humble, lowly state shall give place to one of 
heavenly glory. Her members cleansed and 
purified from all stains and imperfections, 
adorned with all the gifts and graces of a lov- 



THE GLORIOUS CHURCH. 137 

ing Lord, shall shine as the stars for ever and 
ever. After all her weary toils and trials on 
earth, she shall enter into her reward and rest, 
seated on thrones of light, among the princes 
and exalted powers on high, crowned with 
glory everlasting. 

If these things are true, the church becomes 
the greatest and most important institution on 
earth. If God is its Founder and Architect, if it 
was established in His Province through so 
many multiplied agencies, if its object contem- 
plates so much of good, if its ultimate triumph 
will be so glorious, it rises in importance to a 
value which no arithmetic can calculate. It de- 
mands our respect, our reverence, our love, and 
our labors. True there are many imperfec- 
tions attaching to it, in its earthly state. There 
are weaknesses and shortcomings and failures 
which we cannot help seeing. Folly and sin 
are often mingled with its holiest rites, and 
selfishness and ambition mark many of its 
leaders and office bearers. Broken vows and 
worldly conformity too often mar its beauty 
and disgrace its profession. Bickerings and 
contentions are frequently found, instead of 
unity and peace. Position and power are 
sought by too many who love the pre-eminence. 
But these are not the faults of the church itself, 
nor owing to any defect in its working, or any 
failure on the part of its means of grace. They 



138 THE GLORIOUS CHUECH. 

result from the sin and the folly of poor, frail 
humanity. It is this very evil and sin and guilt 
which it is the work of the church to restrain 
and eradicate. We must not blame her for the 
mishaps and fallings and hypocrisies of those 
she is endeavoring to sanctify and save. The 
church as instituted by God and equipped for 
her work, is perfect. She needs no earthly as- 
sociations to supplement her works, no inven- 
tions of man to fill out any lack in the wisdom 
of God. The church then is to be upheld, sup- 
ported, defended. Whatever else may prove 
false she will be true; whatever else may disap- 
point, she will satisfy; whatever else may be 
given up, we must cling to her. 

And if these things are true, how necessary 
is it that we be connected with the church. If 
God bestows His grace only through the means 
which He has committed to her ministration, 
then there is no salvation out of her. If God 
dwells in the midst of her, and through her dis- 
penses His blessings, how essential is it that 
we be enrolled among her members, identified 
with her interests, take part in her struggles, 
drink in her life, feed upon her spiritual food, 
partake of her grace and strength, and so come 
into communion and fellowship with God Him- 
self. If God has been at so much expense of 
treasure and blood, if Jesus Christ has yielded 
up Himself to crucifixion, in order that the 



THE GLOKIOUS CHURCH. 139 

cliurcli might be firmly founded, liow can we 
think lightly of her, or despise her claims, or 
turn away from her calls or neglect her in- 
terests. Can we treat the Son of God with so 
much contempt and consider the shedding of 
His blood of so little moment that we can be 
saved quite as well without His aid as with it! 
Can we think we can slight His appointments 
and neglect His ordinances, and refuse to par- 
ticipate in His sacraments, and to comply with 
His demands, and yet have a good title to 
heaven? Awake to a true and wise considera- 
tion of these things. Let no prejudices pre- 
vent an honest searching for the truth. Let 
your convictions of duty lead to its perform- 
ance. The church waits for you. Those many 
witnesses on high stand and gaze anxious for 
a correct decision. Think of the claims of your 
God; think of the purposes of your creation, 
and lose no time in laying hold upon the salva- 
tion of Jesus offered in His church. 



"As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg- 
ment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto 
them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin 
unto salvation."— Heb. 9: 27, 28. 

AS there was a fall, so there is a redemp- 
tion. As there is one death, and one 
judgment after death in consequence of 
the fall, so there is one offering to atone for 
transgression and to deliver from the condem- 
nation of the judgment. And though there are 
many sins there is but one justification. But 
there are different stages in the great work of 
redemption. Christ does it all, not all at once, 
nor at one visit to the world. The text speaks 
of a twofold coming — a coming a second time, 
which necessarily implies a first time. One has 
been accomplished, the other remains to be 
accomplished. We propose in the present dis- 
course to consider the likenesses and diversities 
of these two comings. 

1. They are alike in the predictions of inspir- 
ation, and in the expectation of the saints living 
before their occurrence. It cannot be doubted 
that the character and nature of His first com- 

140 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 141 

ing were clearly foretold by the Old Testament 
prophets. The following, among other facts, 
were mentioned concerning Him, all having 
reference to His first coming, and all being ful- 
filled at that time, viz. : His being born of a 
virgin and of the house of David and of the 
seed of Abraham : the time of His coming : the 
place of His birth: the adoration of the wise 
men: His being anointed by the Spirit: His 
public ministry: His teaching by similitudes: 
His miracles : His public entry into Jerusalem : 
His humble condition: His meekness and 
humility: His compassion and tenderness: 
His being hated by the Jews: His being 
betrayed by a disciple: His being sold for 
thirty pieces of silver : His being accused by 
false witnesses : His patience and silence before 
His accusers : His hands and feet being pierced : 
His suffering and agony: His being railed at 
and reproached: gall and vinegar being given 
Him to drink: His intercession for His mur- 
derers : His death and burial : His resurrection 
and ascension. All these were foretold of Him 
at His first coming. Equally clear and explicit 
are the predictions given both in the Old and 
New Testaments of His second coming. It is 
called the ** Glorious appearing of the great 
God and our Saviour:*' *^the time of refreshing 
from the presence of the Lord:*' **the last 
time. ' ' It is prophesied that Christ shall come 



142 THE COMING OF CHRIST. 

in the clouds: with power and glory; accom- 
panied by His angels and saints : with flames of 
fire; with the voice of the archangel; with a 
shout: suddenly and unexpectedly: as the light- 
ning. It is predicted that He shall come to 
complete the salvation of His saints: to judge 
the world: to be glorified in His saints: to 
reign: to destroy death: that every eye shall 
see Him : that the wicked shall scoff at it : that 
they shall be surprised by it : and that they shall 
be punished with evel"lasting destruction. All 
these things are predicted concerning His 
second coming. And as these two advents are 
alike in that they equally form themes of proph- 
ecy, so they are alike in the expectations of 
the saints before their occurrence. The Old 
Testament records show with what longing the 
pious and holy men of yore looked for the 
Saviour. They speak of His appearing in the 
most ardent and glowing terms. And seem to 
be impatient of the delay of His incarnation. 
All history attests that as the time of His 
revealment drew near, the expectations grew 
stronger, and the yearning, more intense, so 
that even the Gentile nations caught the spirit 
of the pious Jews, and turned their eager eyes, 
weary with waiting and watching, to the land 
where the promised Deliverer should arise. 
Their anticipations were intensified by hopes 
of deliverance from the miseries under which 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 14^ 

they groaned. The true spirit is that mani- 
fested by old Simeon, **Lord, now lettest Thou 
thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have 
seen thy salvation.'' 

It is just as much a part of piety now to be 
in constant expectation of the second coming 
of Christ. Paul gave thanks to God for the 
Corinthians, because they came behind in no 
gift : *^ waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus 
Christ.'' He commends the Thessalonians also 
because they turned *^from idols to serve the 
living and true God, and to wait for His Son 
from heaven." Peter, after speaking of the 
events to happen at the revelation of Jesus 
Christ, said, ^^What manner of persons ought 
ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 
looking for and hastening unto the coming of 
the day of God." And in the apostolic times 
and the ages succeeding down to the present, 
there have been those who have anxiously 
looked for the coming of the Son of Man, to 
correct the evils of this sinful world, just as 
the saints of old expected and watched for His 
first coming. In the predictions of the prophets 
then and in the expectations of the saints these 
two comings are alike. 

2. They are alike in the personal reality of 
their nature. Nothing is truer than that the 
Son of God became incarnate in the flesh. Jesus 
Christ was really and actually born into the 



144 THE COMING OF CHKIST. 

world just as really as we are. He grew from 
infancy to boyhood, and from boyhood to man- 
hood. He ate and slept, and wept and suffered. 
He actually lived and moved and passed the 
time of his sojourning here in His holy and 
divine vocation. He was tempted of Satan, 
though without sin. He walked through the 
cities and villages and byways of Palestine. 
He taught the people. He was nailed to the 
cross, and personally suffered excruciating tor- 
ment. He died and was buried, His body being 
taken down from the cross and laid in the 
sepulchre by His friends. Literally and truly 
did He arise from the tomb. His disciples saw 
Him and recognized Him. They talked with 
Him and ate with Him after He arose from the 
grave. Frequently was He seen after His 
resurrection; at one time by five hundred at 
once. There is no doubt about His identity. 
In the presence of His apostles He ascended 
up on high : they saw Him go up, till the clouds 
received Him out of their sight. Jesus Christ 
was not an ideal, spiritual, airy fancy, but a 
personal reality, moving among men, speaking 
to them, approached by them, healing their 
diseases, doing them good, and in all respects 
manifesting Himself as a potent being. 

Of the same nature will be His second com- 
ing: it will be personal; every whit as literal 
and real as His first coming was. When He 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 145 

ascended the disciples stood gazing after Him; 
when two bright messengers appeared saying, 
**Ye men of Galilee why stand ye here gazing 
Tip into heaven? This same Jesus that is ta- 
ken up from you into heaven, shall so come 
in like manner as ye have seen Him go into 
heaven. ' ' We are told also that every eye shall 
see Him. The very place where His feet shall 
stand when He returns, is mentioned. Before 
He went away He spoke of His coming again, 
which necessarily implies that it will be in the 
same personal way that He came before. He 
will again then descend to our earth, and tread 
upon it as He trod before; and be manifested 
to its inhabitants, so that they shall see Him 
and know Him, as He was seen and known by 
His apostles after His triumph over the grave. 
As the heavenly hosts sang songs of praise 
over His first advent, so there will be shouts 
and songs when He returns to reign. And as 
literally and truly as He ascended up on high 
and in person took a seat on the right hand 
of His Father, so literally and truly will He in 
person come back to seat himself on His own 
throne. These two comings are alike then in 
the personal reality of their nature. 

3. They are alike in being parts of the same 
great redemptive scheme. The great work of 
Christ is the redemption of man from the 
dominion and thraldom of Satan. In this work 



146 THE COMING OP CHKIST. 

there are many steps, and many acts. The 
first great act in the securing of redemption 
was Christ ^s incarnation, which included His 
birth, death and resurrection. But still the 
work of redemption is not complete. This poor 
earth yet groans under the curse, brings forth 
its thorns and thistles, and rolls on its orbit 
blighted by the foul breath of sin. Pain and 
sickness and every evil still hold sway over the 
creatures who were made for glory, honor and 
immortality. Death yet claims his victims ; nor 
Will he yield his authority and power. The 
great enemy of our race continues to carry on 
his malicious and fatal work, in effecting the 
ruin of the sons of men. Something more then 
remains to be accomplished. These foes must 
be finally and completely destroyed ; these evils 
must be eradicated from the earth. This final 
work Christ performs when He comes again. 
But it is the necessary continuance of what He 
has already begun, and is a part of the same 
grand work which He engaged to do, and which 
He entered upon when as a babe He humbled 
Himself, and took upon Him the form of a serv- 
ant. The first great stage in His work He has 
passed through, what remains will follow in due 
time, and consummate what has been begun. At 
His second advent then He unfolds no new pur- 
pose, makes known no new scheme, and ventures 
upon no new labor. He completes what He has 



THE COMING OF CHBIST. 147 

commenced, and builds the superstructure on 
the foundation He has laid. As He has de- 
clared Himself to be the Alpha and Omega, so 
His first and second advents form the beginning 
and ending of the same redemptive scheme. 

4. These two comings are alike, because 
they produce great changes in the thinking and 
affairs of men. No character has produced so 
much change in the world as Jesus Christ. 
Though a despised Nazarene His influence has 
been felt to be more potent than that of the 
mightiest conqueror or the greatest philosopher 
the earth has ever seen. Though He was nailed 
to the cross His principles and teachings could 
not be. Though men could crucify Him, they 
could not bind or bury His influence. The 
Christianity He taught and founded in His own 
blood, has outlived all its foes, and triumphed 
over all the forces arrayed against it, and so 
moulded the minds of men, that even His bitter- 
est opponents have been more or less influenced 
by it, and are compelled to respect what they 
find they cannot change. In every department 
of life, civil, social, religious, Christianity has 
made itself felt, and introduced great changes. 
The world is by no means what it was before 
the advent of Jesus Christ. His cross, erected 
in Palestine, has largely influenced the earth, 
and shaped its mightiest movements. What 
an advance is the Christian dispensation upon 



148 THE COMING OF CHKIST. 

the Jewish Theocracy which preceded it. How 
different are the philosophy, the literature, the 
opinions of men now from what they were be- 
fore. So, also. His second advent will introduce 
great changes. Changes greater even than 
those introduced by His first coming, as then 
will be seen in their fullness the results of His 
divine work. Not only a few will then submit 
to Him, but all nations; and His Gospel, with 
its heavenly principles, will prevail among all 
the sons of men, so that all will live and move 
and act in accordance with them. Old theories 
which even in this enlightened age have been 
cherished, will be abandoned. New light will 
burst upon the world. Judaism was like the 
starlight, affording but faint glimmerings amid 
the darkness. Christianity is like the moon- 
light, shining somewhat brighter, but still leav- 
ing much in obscurity, and hiding much from 
view. But the approaching dispensation, called 
in the Scriptures the times of restitution, will be 
like the clear sunlight, dissipating all darkness, 
and shining with such an effulgence as to reveal 
all things. Then shall many of the pursuits 
men now delight in, be deemed empty vanities ; 
the knowledge they now possess be insignifi- 
cant; their present wisdom be looked upon as 
folly, and all ways of acting and modes of 
thought of worldly-minded people be considered 
childish. Eadical and vast will be the changes 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 14:9 

introduced in all parts of our globe by the 
revelations of that great day of the Lord. An 
entirely new order of affairs will be established. 
The world will be as it were remoulded; and 
men reanimated with a new life. Just as 
Christ's first coming started a new order of 
things, so will His second coming inaugurate 
still more wonderful transformations. These 
two comings of Christ then have several par- 
ticulars in which they resemble one another. 
The same Christ appears upon the earth, at 
different periods. He comes for the same great 
purpose; and each time effects His object. It 
is the same being, the God-man that both times 
visits the earth, both times engaged in the 
same great work, beginning it at the first visita- 
tion and completing it at the second. 

But these two comings have their diversities 
as well as their likenesses. Though in many 
particulars they resemble each other, yet in 
many respects they differ. It is Jesus Christ 
who appears, and Christ the Eedeemer, but to 
carry out different parts of His redemptive 
work. 

1. They are diverse in the circumstances of 
His manifestation. At His first advent. His 
humiliation and lowliness were most manifest. 
Under mean and lowly circumstances He was 
born, and laid in a manger. He grew up sharing 
the hard lot of His humble parents, and was 



150 THE COMING OF CHEIST. 

subject unto them. When he entered upon His 
ministry He led a life of poverty. His own 
plaintive words show how destitute He was. 
^^The foxes have holes, and the birds of the 
air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not 
where to lay His head." Persecuted by the 
great and forsaken by many who professed to 
be His friends. He endured all without com- 
plaining or murmuring, or using any of the 
Divine power which dwelt within Him to de- 
liver Himself from the persecutions of His 
enemies. The words of the prophet in relation 
to Him were literally fulfilled. ^ ' He shall grow 
up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root 
out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor 
comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there 
is no beauty that we should desire Him. ' ' 

Far different, however, shall it be at his 
second advent. He will come in great splendor 
and majesty. He Himself said, **The Son of 
Man shall come in the glory of His Father with 
His angels.'' His revelation will be accompa- 
nied with marvellous heraldic demonstrations. 
*^The Lord Himself will descend from heaven 
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel 
and with the trump of God. ' ' He will be clothed 
in irresistible power. * * Hereafter, said He, shall 
ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand 
of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. ' ' 
When the apostle John was transported in 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 151 

spirit, in his apocalyptic visions, and saw 
Christ, the sight was unendurable, and he fell 
at His feet as one dead. In the mount of trans- 
figuration His three favored disciples caught a 
glimpse of that glory in which He shall here- 
after be revealed. His face did shine as the 
sun, His raiment was white as the light, and 
a bright cloud overshadowed them. ^^At the 
sight and at the sound of the voice which was 
heard, the disciples *fell on their faces.' He 
will appear then, not alone, nor in lowliness, 
but attended with angel bands, and in splendor 
and great glory, manifesting His majesty and 
power. ' ' 

2. In the nature of His work. At first He 
came as the victim to be offered for sin, He 
shall come again without sin unto salvation. 
John the Baptist, His forerunner, pointed to 
Him as he appeared among the people and 
said, ^* Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh 
away the sin of the world!" He was spoken 
of as the Lamb slain. He bore the sin of the 
whole world in His body on the cross. But 
Isaiah tells us, that when He shall appear again 
it shall be said in that day, *^Lo, this is our 
God ; we have waited for Him ; He will save us ; 
this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we 
will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." 

He came the first time as the meek Teacher. 
Everywhere He taught the people with the 



152 THE COMING OF CHEIST. 

greatest forebearance, tenderness and love. 
The reproach uttered against Him by the 
Scribes and Pharisees was, ^^This man re- 
ceiveth sinners." How gently He dealt with 
all who came to Him, How wisely He in- 
structed them, accommodating Himself to their 
dullness, bearing with their prejudices and sub- 
mitting to their want of appreciation. But 
when He comes again it will be as the righteous 
Judge. The day of forebearance will then be 
past; the time for sifting will then have come. 
^ ^ Jlis fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly 
purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the 
garner; but He will burn up the chaff with 
unquenchable fire." The axe which has lain 
so long as a warning at the root of the trees 
will be lifted in judgment. No longer will the 
gardener pray that the barren fruit tree may 
be allowed to stand this year also, but the com- 
mand will be put in execution, *Cut it down, 
why eumbereth it the ground ? ' " 

In the days when He moved here upon earth, 
it was as the submissive sufferer. He sub- 
mitted to the temptations of Satan, to the 
persecutions of the chief men of the Jewish 
nation, of Herod, and of Pontius Pilate. But 
when he comes again it will be as the triumph- 
ant Lord. 

3. In the manner in which men shall regard 
Him. At His first coming the words of Isaiah 



THE COMIXG OF CHKIST. 153 

were fulfilled when in prophetic vision he said 
in regard to Him: ^^He is despised and re- 
jected of men ; a man of sorrows and acquainted 
\vith grief ; and we hid as it were our faces from 
Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him 
not/^ But never more shall He move among 
men as the despised Nazarene. Never more 
will He be called a wine bibber, nor will it be 
said that He hath a devil and that He casteth 
out devils by Beelzebub. The crown of thorns 
which rude soldiers put upon His brow will 
give place to the crown of glory; and the mock 
robes of the king to be crucified, to the gar- 
ments of light. Then will the second Psalm be 
fulfilled, wherein God says, *^Yet have I set my 
King upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare 
the decree: the Lord hath said unto me. Thou 
art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 
Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen 
for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts 
of the earth for thy possession." Of His own 
true believing people it is said, * ^ The ransomed 
of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with 
songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads, 
they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow 
and sighing shall flee away.'' From all this 
we may see: 

1. What is the true scope of proper Chris- 
tian faith and hope. It looks back to a Saviour 
come in the flesh and suffering as a sacrifice for 



154 THE COMING OF CHRIST. 

sin, and it looks forward to a Saviour come in 
the glory of God to overthrow His enemies and 
complete the redemption of His saints. 

2. That both these aspects of faith and hope 
are essential — the one to justification, the other 
to salvation. 

3. We have reason to be admonished to be 
earnestly ^* looking" for the coming again of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Christ 
and His apostles again and again urge us to be 
looking and watching for the coming of our 
Lord. They represent that event as the great 
hope of the church, and warn every Christian 
against any neglect of it. In these days of 
apostasy and unbelief we need to be reminded 
of these Scripture admonitions. The world is 
more and more taking hold of the idea that it 
can get along very well without Christ. The 
world's progress, and the world's greatness 
are the two grand absorbing thoughts of the 
age. God is, to a great and alarming extent, 
forgotten, and Christ is neglected, and Chris- 
tians have quite too much caught the spirit of 
the day, and are quite too much swayed by the 
excitements of the hour. We need to have our 
eyes turned to the world's true Saviour. We 
need to have our gaze directed to that cross on 
which He was crucified as the foundation of our 
salvation, and our hopes directed to Him as He 
shall come again without sin unto salvation. I 



THE COMING OF CHRIST. 155 

would have the words of the apostle Peter set 
prominently before you, * ^ What manner of per- 
sons ought we to be in all holy conversation 
and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the 
coming of the day of God,'' and would remind 
you of those loving, but significant utterances 
of Christ, ** Watch, therefore, for ye know not 
what hour your Lord doth come. . . . Blessed 
is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh 
shall find so doing. . . . But if that evil 
servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delayeth 
His coming. . . . The Lord of that servant 
shall come in a day when he looketh not for 
Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 
and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his 
portion with the hypocrites: there shall be 
weeping and gnashing of teeth. ' ' 

Let the abiding impression of the whole 
Gospel upon your hearts be — Christ in the full- 
ness of His work — Christ already come and 
offering Himself as the sacrifice for sin — Christ 
yet to come to receive us to glory. With our 
lamps trimmed and burning let us be ready for 
Him, and though we may be sundered on earth 
we shall meet in the glorious kingdom of our 
common Lord. It is but a little while we have 
to wait. Our pilgrimage on earth will soon be 
over, and in the future we shall be with Him 
and be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 



156 THE COMING OF CHEIST. 

Beyond the smiling and the weeping, 
Beyond the waking and the sleeping 
Beyond the sowing and the reaping, 
I shall be soon. 

Love, rest and home! Sweet hope! 
Lord, tarry not, but come. 
.Beyond the rising and the setting 
Beyond the calming and the fretting. 
Beyond remembering and forgetting, 
I shall be soon. 

Beyond the gathering and the strowing 

Beyond the ebbing and the flowing. 

Beyond the coming and the going, 

"We shall be soon. 

Beyond the parting and the meeting, 

Beyond the farewell and the greeting 

Beyond this pulse's fever beating 

We shall be soon. 

Love, rest and home! Sweet hope! 

Lord, tarry not, but come. 



CUtjriBf Coming attdi ]p»]taratt0n 

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the 
Son of man cometh." — Matt. 24: 44. 

IN this text an important event is spoken of 
and a solemn exhortation is founded upon 
it. The event spoken of is in these words : 
**In such an hour as ye think not the Son of 
Man cometh ; ' ' and the injunction founded upon 
it is : * ^ Therefore be ye also ready ; ^ ' and to the 
text as thus divided I invite your attentive and 
prayerful consideration. And may Almighty 
God, by His Holy Spirit, aid and direct us both 
in hearing and speaking to the praise of His 
glorious grace. 

The event here spoken of is the coming of the 
Son of Man. This has been interpreted by 
many persons to mean death. And in all those 
passages in which we are urged to watch and 
be ready for the coming of the Son of Man, it 
has become usual to refer us to death as the 
thing to watch and be ready for, making it to be 
synonymous with Christ's coming. Death is 
often held up in this and similar passages as 

157 



158 CHRIST 'S COMING AND PREPARATION FOR IT. 

the end or object to which we are hastening 
and for which we ought to be looking and pre- 
paring. I cannot, however, agree with such an 
interpretation. If our Saviour meant that 
death should be the object of the believer's con- 
tinual watchfulness and expectation, He would 
have said so in language which could not be 
misunderstood. He would not say one thing 
and mean another. The Scriptures represent 
the coming of the Son of Man and death as 
two entirely distinct events ; our creeds also so 
i;;epresent them. When, therefore, our Saviour 
uses the phrase ^Hhe coming of the Son of 
Man," plain common sense would understand 
Him as meaning the coming of the Son of Man 
and not death. He has never once specified 
death as the object of watchfulness or prepara- 
tion. Had He done so in a single instance, we 
might then have some warrant for supposing 
that in many passages in which He speaks of 
His second coming, it was in reality the death 
of each person to which He referred. But such 
is not the case. And whatever our desires and 
prejudices may be, we are forced to the con- 
clusion that Christ's coming and not death is 
the thing we are exhorted to be ready for. 
Some have tried to evade the force of this 
reasoning by saying that for all practical pur- 
poses death may be considered the same thing 
as the coming of Christ. But this is not the 



CHKIST 'S COMING AND PKEPAEATION FOR IT. 159 

manner in which the Gospel presents the mat- 
ter. Death is spoken of there. We are assured 
that * 4t is appointed unto men once to die, and 
after this the judgment." It is where death 
leaves a man that the coming of the Saviour 
will find him. But no one could have studied 
the New Testament in reference to this subject 
without discerning how seldom death is men- 
tioned and how often the coming of Christ is 
alluded to. ^^It is a mistake and one fraught 
with much practical mischief, as if it were the 
thing to be anticipated, and of which to inter- 
pret the many solemn injunctions of Scripture, 
with reference to the Saviour's second coming. 
It is this latter event and not the former which 
we are again and again urged to prepare for. ' ^ 
The Dean of Canterbury, speaking upon this 
subject, recently said: **In Holy Scripture, we 
do not hear of preparation for death. I doubt 
whether one text can be found in which we are 
exhorted to make such preparation as such. 
But the constant note, the continual recurring 
exhortation, is, to be prepared for the Lord's 
coming. The reason is that he who is prepared 
for the Lord's coming is necessarily also pre- 
pared for his own death. The greater includes 
the less. He who so lives and thinks, so speaks, 
so works in his daily life as to be ready for the 
sign of the Son of Man from heaven, and the 
voice of the archangel and the trump of God, 



160 CHEIST 'S COMING AND PREPAKATION FOR IT. 

will not be found unready when the summons 
is heard in a softer tone, and comes with more 
previous warning. But he who has forgotten 
his Lord^s coming, and has simply been careful 
about readiness for his own dismissal, will ever 
be too liable in the lesser thing to have neglected 
care for the greater: and he will also be well 
nigh certain to have lowered his standard of 
attainment, and narrowed his sympathies un- 
worthily ; in taking thought for himself to have 
forgotten the great body of which he is a mem- 
l3er; in minding his own safety to have for- 
gotten the glory of his Lord — nay his very Lord 
Himself. For there is nothing that so much 
takes a man out of himself, nothing that so 
much raises and widens his thoughts and 
sympathies, nothing that so much purifies and 
elevates his hopes, as this preparation for the 
coming of the Lord.'' 

Our Lord knew well that death is to the be- 
liever even, a cold repulsive object; and that 
chilling and gloomy and repellant would be the 
influence which its perpetual expectation would 
exercise upon the sons of men. There is no 
attractiveness about the shroud, the grave, and 
the coldness of death. These are surely not 
held up to men for them to look forward to and 
live for and be prepared to meet. We instinc- 
tively turn away from these : we have an aver- 
sion for them which the most pious even cannot 



Christ's coming and prepaeation for it. 161 

wholly overcome. No ! our Saviour has placed 
before His followers a glowing prospect full of 
warmth and energy ; lively and attractive to all 
who love Him in sincerity and regard Him as 
the chief among ten thousand. He places life 
before them, not death. He holds up to our 
gaze a subject which we can contemplate with 
delight, not one which will repel us. He clothes 
the future with joy and peace and glory for all 
His followers; He would not fill them with 
dread and dismay. He holds out to them a hope 
connected with His second coming which is in- 
tended to act as an incentive to us to overcome 
all the trials and troubles of this life and to 
make us triumph over even death itself. So 
far from identifying death — even the death of 
the believer — with the second coming of Christ, 
there are no two things which the word of God 
puts more widely apart, or which are presented 
to us in stronger contrast the one with the 
other; and to suppose our Lord thus to have 
identified them, or thus to identify them our- 
selves, is manifestly to accuse Him and be 
guilty ourselves, of confounding things that 
differ. Death is the coming of the King of 
Terrors: and therefore His advent is not to 
be confounded with that of the Lord of Life and 
Glory. At death the believer departs to go and 
be with Christ. Christ does not come to him. 
Death is a scene of pain and sickness and sor- 



162 CHKIST ^S COMING AND PKEPAEATION FOR IT. 

row and sighing; of bitter partings and heart 
rending farewells. At the coming of Christ 
pain and sickness shall be forever dissipated: 
the death divided shall be eternally reunited; 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. There can 
be no two things more dissimilar than these 
two. 

Besides this ^^ death does not at all fall in 
with the spirit or nature of the Gospel, so as to 
entitle it to prominence as a theme of evangel- 
ical incentive. It belongs to sin and the curse, 
bot to the Gospel and salvation. It presents 
a circle of ideas altogether narrower, darker, 
more legal, less evangelical, less fitted to im- 
press with Christward impulses, than we would 
expect in the system of God's gracious appli- 
ances. We would not deny it a place among the 
considerations to be addressed to men, or 
exclude it in things to be looked to in our 
contemplations of the future, but to make it a 
substitute for the doctrine of the speedy coming 
of Christ in the glory of His kingdom is to put 
a gloss upon the Scriptures which they were 
never intended to wear, and to dislocate the 
inspired adjustments of truth by foisting man 's 
judgment in the place of divine wisdom." 

Christ is the great theme of the Gospel. His 
incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, 
and second coming are the subjects placed 
prominently before us. These are put in the 



Christ's coming and preparation for it. 163 

forefront of tlie picture, and compared with 
them, death is thrown quite into the back- 
ground. 

It is to Christ's personal return to this earth 
then that the text refers when it speaks of the 
coming of the Son of man. And this is a 
doctrine made remarkably prominent in the 
sacred Scriptures. As a subject of hopeful 
expectation to the pious, and of terror to the 
ungodly, it is the most formally repeated and 
constantly affirmed. There is hardly a chapter 
in the evangelical writings which does not in 
some way refer to it. The Saviour Himself 
during His lifetime spoke largely of a period 
when the tribes of earth ^* shall see the Son 
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with 
power and great glory,'' and when He shall 
send His angels, with a great sound of a 
trumpet, to gather His elect from the four 
winds. ' ' 

And passage might be multiplied upon pass- 
age all explicitly declaring the same thing. The 
writers of the Gospel seem to love to dwell upon 
it; and display the greatest anxiety to impress 
it on their readers. There is no doctrine of the 
Gospel announced with more clearness or solem- 
nity. Nor are we to understand by this any 
spiritual coming : but a real advent to this earth 
again as really and truly and personally as He 
came to it before. It was not a spiritual coming 



164 chkist's coming aitd pkepaeation foe it. 

which the apostle calls, ^^the blessed hope and 
the glorious appearing of the Great God and 
our Saviour Jesus Chrisf It was not a 
spiritual advent which the Corinthians were 
expecting when they were ^^ waiting for the 
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. ' ' It was not 
a spiritual view which the Thessalonians had 
when they ^* turned to God from idols to serve 
the living and true God; and to wait for His 
Son from heaven/' Paul had an actual pres- 
ence • of Christ in his mind when he said the 
Thessalonians were his hope and joy and crown 
of rejoicing ^4n the presence of the Lord Jesus 
Christ at His coming.'' It was no spiritualiz- 
ing our Lord meant should be put upon His 
words when He said, **As the lightning com- 
eth out of the east, and shineth even unto 
the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of 
Man be. " '^ There are I believe, ' ' says a writer 
of a treatise upon the book of Daniel, **some 
twelve or thirteen words in the original in the 
New Testament in reference to this coming. 
And these occur in plain and undoubted refer- 
ence to it — no less than about one hundred and 
twenty-five times. They are thus often used to 
assert that truth. And they do it so clearly and 
pointedly, that it would seem their application 
cannot be mistaken." The doctrine then that 
Jesus Christ who once walked upon this earth, 
was offered up upon the cross, ascended up 



CHBIST 'S COMING AND PREPAKATION FOR IT. 165 

into heaven, is verily and truly to come back 
to earth again, to be seen with onr eyes and 
heard with our ears, as literally as He was by 
the listening thousands who crowded around 
Him in the desert and by the seashore, or by the 
most favored of His apostles, is the truth of 
God; revealed as clear as a sun beam in the 
Gospel, and made one of the most prominent of 
its themes. 

That this has been the belief of the church, 
too, is seen by the fact that it is confessed in 
the writings of the great and good of all ages. 
The authors of the apostles' creed, whoever 
they were, lived near the times of the apostles 
themselves. They certainly were acquainted 
with the interpretation of the Gospel as held in 
their day. They drank in the very spirit of the 
apostles. And in making that grand summary 
of Christian doctrine, which has been received 
by the Orthodox churches all over the world, 
and in every century and in which we make 
confession of our faith every Lord 's Day morn- 
ing, they use the following language, ' ' Ascended 
into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of 
God, the Father Almighty; from whence He 
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.'' 
The authors of the Augsburg Confession, the 
great symbol of our church, reiterate the same 
doctrine. They say in that confession, that, 
** Christ shall openly come again to judge them 



166 CHRIST 'S COMING AND PEEPAEATION FOR IT. 

that are alive, and restore to life those that be 
dead, according to the creed of the apostles.'' 

If anything then should be received as an 
article of faith, this certainly should. If we 
believe that Jesus Christ ever lived upon our 
earth, if we believe that He was slain upon the 
cross, we must accept and hold the doctrine of 
His second coming; for the revelations which 
make known the first make known the last, and 
the same authority sanctions and enforces them 
all. 

There is an important admonition given us in 
the text in this connection. ** Therefore be ye 
also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not 
the Son of Man cometh. " The coming of the 
Son of Man will be a sudden and unexpected 
event. The Holy Spirit gives us this caution 
in regard to it : * * In such an hour as ye think 
not." No one can fix the exact time or date 
of the Saviour's appearance; it is folly to 
attempt it. The Scriptures purposely leave that 
indefinite and uncertain; and many well-mean- 
ing men have brought discredit upon them- 
selves and their cause by attempting to speak 
with too much assurance in regard to the time 
of the second advent. That is not given us to 
know. Notwithstanding this, however, the time 
of the Saviour's coming is not so uncertain and 
indeterminate as to leave us entirely in the dark 
with regard to it. Paul says expressly, '*Ye 



CHRIST 'S COMING AND PREPARATION FOR IT. 167 

l)rethren are not in darkness, that that day 
should overtake you as a thief. ^^ And the 
Saviour exhorts in this wise, *^Take heed to 
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be over- 
charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and 
cares of this life, and so that day come upon 
you unawares. ' ' There can be a looking for an 
object and an expectancy of it and a readiness 
for it and also a knowledge of its near approach, 
i^ithout a knowledge of the exact time in which 
it will happen. And this is just the posture in 
which the Gospel leaves this matter. It urges 
Christians to watch for the coming of the Son 
of Man ; to be prepared for it ; to be expecting 
it and looking for it ; without informing them of 
the year or day in which it will take place. It 
presents it as an event which is likely to happen 
at any moment : which they are not to place far 
off in the future : which they are not to put out 
of mind and away from their thoughts; but 
which they must make a matter of ever present 
concern; as any moment it may be a present 
reality. It is too much the habit of Christians 
though they believe that Christ will come, yet to 
put that coming far off in the dim future, and 
give themselves no concern about it. They have 
fallen in too much with the general opinion of 
the world; and have come to think that there 
must be a millennium of righteousness and 
peace first in which the world will be converted 



168 CHEIST 'S COMING AND PREPAEATION FOR IT. 

to Christ, and then way down at the end of that 
blissful period they locate the Saviour's return. 
These are false and pernicious views. They are 
full of danger to those who entertain them. 
The Scriptures nowhere so present this subject. 
They, on the contrary, solemnly enjoin upon us 
to watch for the Saviour 's advent and be ready 
for it. Now we cannot watch for a thing and 
expect it, when we know that it will not come 
to pass for a thousand years or more. It is 
perfect folly for any one to declare that Christ 
will not come for 1000 years, and a distorting 
of the truth, when Jesus Himself declares, *^In 
such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man 
Cometh.'' The impression which the Gospel 
would make upon a candid reader, is that Christ 
may come at any moment. If the particular 
moment were specified there would be no ex- 
pectancy and no preparation, until near the 
time of the arrival of that moment. To have 
one watch for a thing and be on the lookout for 
it, and be in a state of constant readiness for it, 
he must be left under the belief that it is likely 
to happen at any time. The injunction, there- 
fore, to be ready for the coming of the Son of 
Man, coupled with the caution that it will be in 
such an hour as we think not, of necessity im- 
plies that we are to be in constant expectation 
of His coming as possibly near at hand. Be 
careful then how you entertain this matter. 



Christ's coming and preparation for it. 169 

Heed not those who would lead you to treat it 
with indifference. Turn away from all those 
scorners against whom we are particularly 
warned, who cry ** Where is the promise of His 
coming?'' He will surely come at some time. 
It will be at an unexpected time; in such an 
hour as we think not. * * As the lightning shineth 
out of the east even unto the west, so shall the 
coming of the Son of Man be," are the words 
of Holy Writ. And who will have the presump- 
tion to say that that event will be postponed 
when the Saviour Himself as his very last utter- 
ance and caution in closing His revelation to 
man says, ^^ Surely I come quickly." 

That it is highly essential to be ready no one 
will deny. If we are to hail our Master with 
joy and not with sorrow, if we are to go in 
with Him to those high rewards bestowed upon 
the righteous, we must be prepared for Him. 
What then is implied in being ready for 
Christ's coming? 

1. I reply first it is being found at our sundry 
posts of duty diligently employed in our various 
callings. The instruction of the Saviour in this 
regard is ** Occupy till I come." No man is 
called to leave his honest labor, or neglect any 
of the duties of life. You are to fill the station 
in which God has placed you, in a godly and 
Christian way. You are not to neglect any 
social duty or relation of life. You are not to 



170 CHRIST ^S COMIi^G AND PEEPARATION FOE IT. 

turn aside from what Providence has appointed 
you to do. You are to be content with your lot. 
You are to be faithful in all that you engage in. 
You are to be true and honest in the perform- 
ance of your duty to your country, your family, 
to the community in which you are placed and 
to your Lord. You are to be like faithful 
servants, who know not what hour their master 
may come, but keep all things in readiness and 
are always prepared. You are to be ready to 
obey whatever summons the Lord may send. 
You are to live always as men who are looking 
for the Lord's return. You must engage in no 
pursuit or occupation, in which you would not 
have Him find you employed. You are to rise 
and go forth in the morning prepared, if need 
be, to meet Christ at noon. You are to keep 
your spiritual account constantly settled like 
one who knows not how soon it may be called 
for. 

2. A second thing implied in being ready is 
having our sins and guilt washed away in the 
blood of the great atoning Sacrifice and in be- 
ing sanctified by the Holy Ghost. It is to have 
repented and turned from all manner of sin 
and evil, and to have exercised true faith in the 
Son of God. We must have set ourselves also 
to obey all the injunctions and commands of the 
Lord. We must be connected with His church 
on earth, and be found diligently engaging in 



Christ's coming axd preparatiox for it. 171 

all the ordinances appointed by Him. And 
besides all this there must be a whole-hearted 
concentration of the entire man to Him. Every- 
thing must be yielded up to be laid on the altar 
of sacrifice, should He demand it. You must 
not only be a hearer of the word but a doer 
also ; so that you may be founded upon a rock, 
that the storm and tempests may not be able 
to destroy. Having given ourselves unreserv- 
edly to Christ, we must be His followers indeed ; 
breathing in more and more of His spirit; en- 
gaging in His employments, and taking delight 
in His ways. Whole-souled obedience must be 
rendered to the requirements of the Gospel. 
We are not to be discontented or dissatisfied 
with our lot; but to stand steady at our posts, 
serving our God in the spirit of our Master, 
and doing good in our day and generation. We 
must be growing in grace and in the knowledge 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and being made meet 
for the inheritance of the saints. 

3. The third requisite in being ready for the 
coming of the Son of Man is to be in a posture 
of waiting for Him. There must be a real love 
for the Lord Jesus Christ — a love which leads 
us not only to acquiesce in all His appointments 
here, but which takes delight in all His appoint- 
ments for the future. There must be such an 
entwining of the affections around the heart of 
Jesus, as that He will be our all in all. There 



172 CHBIST^S COMING AND PEEPAEATION FOE IT. 

must be a looking for His return. His saints 
must watch for His coming, and love it, or there 
will be no readiness for it. If we regard it as 
something we would rather not have happen, 
if we look upon it with aversion; and feel an- 
noyed, and afraid lest it should come to pass ; 
there is cause to be suspicious of ourselves : and 
we should immediately Set to remedy any de- 
fects in our Christian character, that we may 
not be covered with shame and confusion at 
the advent of our Saviour. Let there be a 
perfect identification of yourselves with Christ. 
Have no will but His. Study to know His will, 
and to conform yourselves to it: and so abide 
in Him that when He shall appear, ye may have 
confidence and not be ashamed before Him at 
His coming. 

" 'Tis but a little while 

And He shall come again, 
Who died that we might live, who lives 

That we with Him may reign. 
Then, O my Lord, prepare 

My soul for that glad day; 
O wash me in thy precious blood, 

And take my sins away." 



®«mtng from Shnla atii Wattmg 
for ©Ijrtflt 

"For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we 
liad unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living 
and true God: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised 
from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to 
come."— 1 Thess. 1: 9-10. 

THE impression made upon the converts of 
Thessalonica by the preaching of the great 
apostle to the Gentiles was a deep and 
lasting one. Though eighteen hundred years 
have rolled by since, in company with Silas, he 
entered that ancient city, yet the Christian 
religion still lives and flourishes there, and 
Christian churches have arisen in place of the 
synagogue in which he preached. So eagerly 
and intelligently did the Thessalonians receive 
and lay hold of the truth presented to them, 
that they soon became sincere and devout Chris- 
tians. The word preached to them was not in 
vain, but was accompanied with the power of 
the Holy Ghost. ^^For,'' says Paul, *^our 
Gospel came not unto vou in word only, but also 
in power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much 
assurance.'' **And ye became followers of us, 

173 



174 TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 

and of the Lord having received the word in 
much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe 
in Macedonia and Achaia. ' ' Such a church could 
not long remain unknown. Their work of faith, 
and labor of love, and patience of hope could 
not be hidden. Their religion was like a light 
set on a candlestick, not hid under a bushel; 
like a city set on a hill, seen afar. From them 
^* sounded out the word of the Lord not only 
in Macedonia and Achaia," their immediate 
•neighborhood, '^but also in every place their 
faith to Godward was spread abroad. It 
was not necessary for Paul to declare any- 
thing concerning them to others to whom he 
preached, for they themselves told of their own 
accord how Paul was received by the Thes- 
salonians, and what effect his preaching had. 

We learn from the text that there were two 
prominent facts asserted of the Thessalonians 
by others, as a proof that they had become 
Christians. One was that they had turned to 
God from idols, to serve the living and true 
God; and the other was that they *^ waited for 
His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the 
dead, Jesus our Deliverer from the wrath to 
come." 

The first great evidence of the conversion of 
the Thessalonians, and which was noted as such 
by the surrounding countries, was that they 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 175 

turned from idols to serve the living and true 
God. Before the visit of Paul they had been 
idolators. They were sundered from God, and 
the light which was in them had become dark- 
ness, and they had changed the glory of the 
uncorruptible God into an image, made like to 
corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed 
beasts and creeping things,'' and ^Svorshipped 
and served the creature more than the Cre- 
ator." Having lost the knowledge of the true 
God, they had formed for themselves a vast 
system of imaginary gods and goddesses, crea- 
tions of their own fancy, whom they worshipped 
and served, to whom they prayed and vowed 
and paid their oblations. They were heathen 
bowing down to senseless stocks and stones, 
which could neither see nor hear them, nor do 
them good. But upon the preaching of Paul 
they were at once convinced of their former 
folly and sin, and throwing their idols to the 
moles and bats, turned to the living and true 
God. They accepted the truths proclaimed by 
the apostolic missionary, as the word of God, 
and acknowledged Him as the Lord of heaven 
and earth, who only had a right to claim their 
homage and their service. They separated 
themselves from their idolatrous neighbors 
and companions, forsook the temples and the 
shrines of their false gods, trusted no longer 



176 TUKNING FKOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOE CHEIST. 

in dead deities, but were known henceforth as 
God worshippers. 

Such is the characteristic of all true Chris- 
tians, they are worshippers and servers of the 
living and true God. They are known and 
recognized as His. They are a peculiar people, 
holy and consecrated to Him, and devote to Him 
every power of their soul, body, and estate. 
They give up their idolatry, and their idols, 
whether the work of their imagination or of 
their hands, and show to the world that they 
•acknowledge Him only, as Lord over all blessed 
forever. 

Nor is it enough that the images made by cun- 
ning workmen, and the airy system of imagin- 
ary deities should be renounced. There may 
be worship just as false, and idolatry just as 
gross, in lands where Christian churches are 
built, and Bibles are printed and the Gospel 
preached, as where the ignorant and debased 
multitude pay their homage to idols of their 
own creation. For whenever anything comes 
between the soul and God, that thing is an idol. 
Worshipping and serving any creature more 
than the Creator is idolatry. There are many 
who would not adore a golden image, or bow 
down at a silver shrine, who yet render to 
those precious metals in other forms, a homage 
quite as debasing, and a service quite as en- 
slaving. When men bring themselves under 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 177 

bondage to lust, ambition, pleasure and gain, 
they are no better than those whom they are 
wont to pity and commiserate because of their 
blindness and folly. And if they train their 
children to such lives of pleasure and world- 
liness as we see all around us, they are bringing 
them up to tortures greater than those inflicted 
on the devotees of Baal, and preparing them 
for fires severer than those of Molock. The 
men and the women that we meet with every 
hour, that we jostle on the street, that we deal 
with in the marts of trade, that come into the 
church and sit in its pews, who give not them- 
selves to God, are in a worse state than the poor 
heathen, that they pity. Better, far better is 
the lot of the infant thrown into the Ganges, 
and of the wretch that casts himself before the 
crushing car of Juggernaut, than of those who 
hear the Gospel, and believe it not, who are 
taught of Christ and neglect Him, who know 
of the true and living God, but repent not of 
their sins and turn to Him. There are those 
who erect their golden calf right in the midst of 
the hosts of God, even while He is giving a 
revelation of His will, and making appointments 
for their good. But they shall find that it shall 
be broken in pieces by His righteous anger, and 
they and it together shall be burned up in the 
fires of offended justice. Ah ! these idols ! these 
idols ! What multitudes in Christian lands they 



178 TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST* 

are destroying! How are tliey exalted by the 
wilful and the proud into the place that Grod 
should occupy. How degrading is their wor- 
ship, how debasing is their service. They are 
impotent to save. In the day when God shall 
be revealed from heaven in flaming fire taking 
vengeance on them that know Him not, how 
quickly shall they be destroyed, together with 
all the hopes and expectations they have in- 
spired. There is no hope, there is no safety^ 
but in the true and living God, and in the Son 
•of God, the Christ, the Eedeemer. Wise men 
did those idolatrous Thessalonians prove them- 
selves to be in turning from their idols to serve 
Him; and truly wise are all those who follow 
their example. 

The second great fact asserted of the Thes- 
salonians by the surrounding colonies and com- 
munities, by which they were known to have 
become Christians indeed, was that they waited 
for the Son of God from the heavens. *'For 
they themselves show of us what manner of 
entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned 
to God from idols, to serve the living and true 
God: And to wait for His Son from heaven^ 
whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus^ 
which delivered us from the wrath to come." 

The fact that Christ will come again is be- 
lieved by all Christians, and confessed in all 
orthodox creeds. It is a doctrine prominently 



TUKNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 179 

set forth in the Scripture. Jesus said to His 
disciples just before His departure from them, 
**I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go 
and prepare a place for you, I will come again 
and receive you unto Myself; that where I am 
there ye may be also. ' ' At His ascension, two 
men in white apparel appeared to the apostles 
after He was taken up in the heavens, and said, 
* ^ Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into 
heaven! This same Jesus which is taken up 
from you into heaven, shall so come in like 
manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.'' 
Paul tells us that **to them that look for Him, 
shall He appear the second time without sin 
unto salvation." Peter says, **We have not 
followed cunningly devised fables, when we 
made known unto you the power and coming 
of our Lord Jesus Christ." John refers to it 
when he says, ' ^ It doth not yet appear what we 
shall be, but we know that when He shall 
appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see 
Him as He is." And Jude makes the procla- 
mation, '* Behold the Lord cometh with ten 
thousand of His saints, to execute judgment 
upon all and to convince all that are ungodly 
among them, of all their ungodly deeds which 
they have ungodly committed." In the face 
of such passages as these, and many others of 
a similar character might be cited, no one can 
deny that the Scriptures teach that the Lord 



180 TURNING FEOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOE CHRIST. 

Jesus Christ shall return to our earth again. 
But although there is no question among Chris- 
tians as to the bare fact here presented, there 
is great variety of opinion as to the attitude 
we should occupy in regard to that event, and 
the sway and influence it should have upon our 
lives. There are some who, while they believe 
that Christ will come, look upon His advent as 
a thing so far off in the future, that it has 
no practical effect upon them. There are others 
who deem it sufficient to believe simply that 
Christ will come, without troubling themselves 
about the time of His advent or its attendant 
circumstances. Others again, while reading of 
it in their Bibles and confessing it in their 
creeds, consider all the subjects relating to it 
as mere speculation and not to be attended to. 
Over against all these classes we place the 
Christians of Thessalonica ; and believe that 
the attitude presented by them, with reference 
to the coming of the Son of Man, is the true 
attitude which all Christians should occupy. 
They waited for the Son of God from the 
heavens, and they were known among their 
brethren in the surrounding nations by this 
feature of their Christian life; and the apostle 
Paul makes mention of it to their praise, and 
as a cause why he was bound to give thanks for 
them to Almighty God. If they were wrong 
why was this fact sounded out as a peculiar 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 181 

mark of their devotion to Christ; and why did 
not Paul correct the mistake and set them 
right ? We are forced to the conclusion that the 
Thessalonians in looking for Christ ^s coming 
and in waiting for it, occupied the true posture 
of a Christian, and in this as well as in turning 
to God from idols, they were ensamples to the 
whole Christian church. 

Nor is this the only place in the Scripture 
where this waiting for Christ is spoken of. 
Our Lord Himself exhorted His disciples as 
follows : ^ * Let your loins be girded about and 
your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto 
men that wait for their Lord when He 
will return from the wedding, that when He 
Cometh and knocketh, they may open unto Him 
immediately.'' Isaiah says, ** Since the begin- 
ning of the world, men have not heard, nor 
perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, 
God, beside Thee, what He hath prepard for 
him that waiteth for Him." James says, *^Be 
patient therefore brethren unto the coming of 
the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth 
for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath 
long patience for it, until he receive the early 
and the latter rain. Be ye also patient : estab- 
lish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord 
draweth nigh." To the Corinthians the apostle 
writes, ^*I thank my God always on your behalf, 
for the grace of God which is given you by 



182 TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 

Jesus Christ. That in everything ye are en- 
riched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowl- 
edge; even as the testimony of Christ was 
confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in 
no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord 
Jesus Christ : Who shall also confirm you unto 
the end, that ye may be blameless in the day 
of our Lord Jesus Christ.'' And in his second 
epistle to the Thessalonians he prays, **The 
Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, 
and into the patient waiting for Christ." 

It appears from these passages that waiting 
fbr Christ's coming was a prominent feature of 
apostolic Christianity. The Thessalonians 
were right when they not only turned from 
idols to serve the living and true God, but to 
wait for His Son from the heavens. How 
greatly then do those persons depart from the 
faith and simplicity of the Gospel times, who 
ignore this subject as uninteresting, specula- 
tive, or a thing only for the feature. The 
Bible warns us again and again against losing 
sight of the advent of our Lord. He who passes 
it by unheeded loses much precious consolation, 
as well as runs great risk and danger to his 
soul. A theme which is made the basis of so 
many Scripture exhortations, and the spring 
of so much hope to the church and the earth, 
and which we are specially warned not to 
neglect, should be a favorite theme for our 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 183 

thouglits, as well as a powerful incentive to our 
actions. When the Bible presents it so fre- 
quently, we cannot slight it without great injury 
to ourselves. 

Let us inquire a little more particularly into 
what is meant by waiting for Christ from the 
heavens. 

1. Waiting for Christ implies an expectancy 
of His coming. A man who waits for a thing 
expects it and looks for it. He has his thoughts 
fixed upon it and regards it as an event that 
may transpire at any moment. He is assured 
that it may occur at any time, and he is not 
taken unawares when it does occur. 

There are some who tell us that Christ's 
coming is an event yet far off in the future. 
That we are not to concern ourselves about it. 
That the great thing for us to do is to labor 
to convert the world. That all nations must be 
converted, and universal righteousness prevail 
and a golden age be brought in, which will 
last for a thousand years, and then somewhere 
down at the end of that period Christ will come. 
Now this is a very beautiful theory, but the 
only difficulty in the way of its acceptance is 
that it is not true. I heartily agree that 
it is the work of a Christian, to labor to 
bring as many of all nations to the knowledge 
of salvation as he can, but I deny that the 
word of God teaches us not to look for the 



184 TUENING FEOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST, 

advent of the Son of Man until after the millen- 
nium. It invariably and always represents 
Christ ^s second coming as likely to take place 
at any moment, and so enjoins us to keep our- 
selves in readiness for it and to wait for it. 
Listen to some of the passages bearing upon 
this point. James writes to the church general, 
^^Be ye also patient; establish your hearts; for 
the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.'' ^^ Be- 
hold the judge standeth at the door.'' To the 
Philippians Paul says, *'Let your moderation 
be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand/' 
Aud to the Hebrews, ^^Yet a little while^ and 
He that shall come will come." Peter says, 
*^The end of all things is at hand: be ye there- 
fore sober and watch unto prayer. ' ' Jesus calls 
that man an evil servant who shall say in his 
heart, ^^My Lord delayeth His coming.'' And 
in closing the volume of inspiration He gives 
the significant warning, * * Surely, I come quick- 
ly." You may tell me that 1800 years have 
passed away since these utterances were given, 
and that Christ has not yet come. Very true. 
But the impression intended to be conveyed 
by these Grospel passages is that Christ may 
come at any moment, so that each age of the 
church would look for it, and wait for it, and 
cherish it as the grand hope of the church, and 
the greatest event of all time, next to the in- 
carnation and the crucifixion. If we believe we 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 185 

are clear as to the intention of the Holy Spirit 
in any of His revelations, we believe this is 
clear. That such was the impression made upon 
the minds of the apostles themselves, and that 
they acted according to it, is proved by a pass- 
age in these same epistles to the Thessalonians. 
In the last part of the fourth chapter of the 
first epistle, Paul says, *'For this we say unto 
you by the word of the Lord, that we which are 
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, 
shall not prevent them which are asleep. For 
the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven 
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, 
and with the trump of God: and the dead in 
Christ shall rise first : Then we which are alive 
and remain shall be caught up together with 
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. ' ' 
Here the apostle speaks as if it were a prob- 
able thing that Christ would come even in his 
day. For he uses the expression '^We which 
are alive and remain unto the coming of the 
Lord," mentioning himself as among those who 
might be alive on the earth when the Son of 
God shall come. And in perfect harmony with 
this are the ever repeated injunctions of our 
Lord Himself, ** Watch therefore, for ye know 
neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son 
of Man Cometh. " * * Take heed, watch and pray ; 
for ye know not when the time is." ^^ Watch, 
for ye know not what hour your Lord doth 



186 TUKNING FKOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHEIST. 

come.'^ And if we know not the time, and are 
constantly enjoined to be on the watch, how 
dare any man postpone the time one hour, much 
less a thousand years or indefinitely. It is a 
great mistake, and one that may prove fatal 
to us, to treat this subject lightly. The Scrip- 
tures everywhere speak of Christ's advent as 
imminent. Christians should be watching and 
waiting for it, lest it come upon them as a snare. 
They cannot rise from their slumbers and go 
forth to their daily labors sure that their Lord 
will not come before noon; they cannot lie 
down at night, certain that there will not go 
forth the midnight cry, ** Behold, He cometh." 
2. Another thing implied in waiting for the 
Son of God from the heavens, is a longing for 
His appearing. Christ's advent is not a sad 
and gloomy subject for the Christian. It is 
indeed full of dark forebodings to those who 
heed not His Gospel ; it will be a time of venge- 
ance for them. But all who are His disciples 
indeed can look forward to it and contemplate 
it with the most joyous anticipation. In the 
epistle to Titus it is called *^that blessed hope, 
and the glorious appearing of the great God, 
and our Saviour Jesus Christ. ' ' It need inspire 
the meek and lowly disciple of the Master with 
no dread or alarm; but may be regarded with 
complacency and delight. Nay it should be 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 187 

waited for with longing; and as Peter says we 
should be * booking for and hasting '^ to it. 

There are several reasons why Christ ^s 
advent should be waited for with desire and 
longing. The world cannot be converted before 
He comes. I know it is common in missionary 
sermons and addresses to urge Christians to 
engage in the cause of missions in order to 
convert the world. It is constantly urged as 
an incentive to this work, that the Gospel must 
be preached to every creature, so that all may 
believe and the millennium introduced. God 
forbid that I should lay the slightest obstacle in 
the way of missionary efforts. Would to God 
that every son and daughter of our race, were 
a child of God. But while holding it to be 
the bounden duty of every Christian to do what 
in him lies to extend the Gospel and to bring 
souls to Jesus, yet I can nowhere find the Scrip- 
tures declaring that the world shall be con- 
verted before Christ's coming, but only after 
that event, and by His own personal administra- 
tions in His own kingdom. A favorite text is 
often quoted by those who hold a different view 
from this, which may be dwelling in the minds 
of some of you now. The Gospel shall be 
preached in all the world, and then shall the 
end come. But if men would open their Bibles 
and read for themselves, they would find it runs 
thus, ^^His Gospel of the kingdom shall be 



188 TUENING FBOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOE CHEIST» 

preached in all the world, for a witness unto 
all nations; and then shall the end come." 
There is not a word about the conversion of the 
world. It simply says the Gospel shall be 
preached for a witness unto all nations ; and no 
man can say how much Gospel preaching con- 
stitutes a witnessing Gospel. And when I find 
the Bible declaring that the tares grow along 
side of the wheat, and that both continue until 
the harvest, the harvest being the end of the 
world; when I see a warning given that in the 
last days perilous times shall come, and a cata- 
logue of crimes specified as then to be enacted, 
the very recital of which makes the blood tingle ; 
when we are informed that *^evil men and 
seducers shall wax worse and worse ; ' ' when it 
is expressly stated that the mystery of iniquity 
shall work until it culminates in gigantic evil 
and in a lawless power which shall be consumed 
and destroyed only by the Lord Himself, by 
^^the spirit of His mouth, and by the brightness 
of His coming; so that the world grows worse 
instead of better, men might as well attempt 
to persuade me that Christ has already come, 
as that the world will be converted before His 
second coming. It is only after His throne 
is established here that the heathen shall be 
given to Him for His inheritance, and the utter- 
most parts of the earth for His possession. 
Just in proportion then as we long for and 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 189 

desire the conversion and salvation of all the 
world, we should longingly wait for His advent. 
Again it is only when Christ comes that sor- 
row and sighing shall be banished from our 
world, and all tears shall be wiped away. The 
world is full of woe. Pain and anguish have 
struck their pulsations deep into the soul of 
man. *^The heart knoweth its own bitterness. ^^ 
There is not a household on earth that is free 
from the inroads of grief and sadness. The 
cry of the orphan; the wail of the widow left 
desolate ; the sigh of the aged for strength and 
health departed; the groan of the sick and 
dying, are heard on every side. Wretchedness 
and misery reign over many quarters of the 
globe. Squalid poverty thrusts itself before 
you at every step. Wild insanity, and vacant 
chattering idiocy claim their victims. Every- 
where are found the garments of mourning. 
Disease and death stalk abroad unhindered to 
do their fatal work. Suffering and sorrow are 
the lot of mourning mortals. Even the earth 
itself partakes of the common blight. A curse 
rests upon it, and it groans under its heavy 
burden, waiting to be delivered. Deliverance 
for it and its inhabitants shall come only when 
the Son of God shall come. He who spake to 
the winds and the waves and they obeyed him ; 
He who fed the hungering multitudes with 
bread; He who restored sight to the blind, and 



190 TUKNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 

cast out the devils from the deaf and dumb, 
and dried the tears of the widow of stain, and 
raised the sick from their beds, and called 
Lazarus from the grave ; He alone can do away 
with the groaning and the sighing of earth and 
its millions. This glad work He will accom- 
plish only after His return to earth again. 
Then, and not before, will sorrow be turned into 
joy. Should not His coming be waited for with 
intense desire and longing? It is only at His 
advent, too, that Satan shall be bound, and evil 
shall be banished, and the confederates in in- 
iquity and opposers and blasphemers of Christ 
be destroyed, and sin be done away and uni- 
versal righteousness and peace be ushered in. 
Then the saints shall receive their crowns, and 
the pious their rewards. It shall be a day of 
glory and of bliss. It is full of hope and joyous 
expectation to the Christian. Distress and 
gloom brood over the earth because of Christ's 
absence ; His presence only shall bring joy and 
gladness. The earth is waiting ; the angels are 
waiting, the saints that have passed away are 
waiting ; why should not we be waiting for Him? 
Can we not catch the spirit of the Thessa- 
lonian church and while we turn from idols to 
serve the living and true God, wait for His Son 
from heaven? 

3. Finally waiting for Christ implies readi- 
ness for Him. We should be prepared for 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 191 

His coming, and then we will wait for it with 
desire. To be ready for Christ's advent, is to 
be a genuine and true Christian. We must turn 
from idols to serve the living and the true 
God. That is lay aside everything that comes 
between God and the soul. We must have truly 
repented of our sins, and been washed in the 
blood of the atoning Lamb, that our guilt may 
be cleansed away. We must have true faith in 
the Lord Jesus Christ, true love for Him, and 
a true hope in Him and for Him. We must 
be found connected with the company of His 
followers upon earth; gathered into His fold; 
serving Him in the way of His own appoint-^ 
ment; and so separated from the world, and 
consecrated to Him. And besides all this there 
must be the work of faith, and labor of love, and 
patience of hope. Upon us is laid the solemn 
injunction, **Work out your own salvation with 
fear and trembling.'' And while every Chris- 
tian is to rest all things in the hands of his 
Saviour, he must labor and work as if every- 
thing depended upon himself. The labors of 
love must be exercised in active charities, 
benevolent bestowments, and personal minis- 
trations, for Christ and His cause and people. 
There must be that patience which endures 
suffering, affliction and toil, sustained by a 
heaven-kindled hope in the divine Eedeemer. 
The lamp of true grace must ever be kept burn- 



192 TUKNING FEOM IDOLS AND WAITING FOE CHRIST. 

ing, else when He cometh He shall find all dark- 
ness within. 

Nor is all this of itself sufficient to constitute 
readiness for the Lord's appearing. There 
must be a loving and diligent looking for Him. 
The crown of life which Paul expected, he tells 
us would be bestowed on all them that loved 
Christ's appearing. And in Hebrews we are 
told *^To them that look for Him, shall He 
appear the second time without sin unto salva- 
tion.'' We are warned and commanded again 
and again by Christ and the apostles to watch 
ft)r His coming. To watch implies being on the 
alert, and on the look out for His approach. 
The moment we give way to the delusion that 
Christ delayeth His coming, that moment our 
moral sensibilities lose their activity; our 
efforts flag ; a dull stupor creeps over our souls ; 
and we fall asleep, to be awakened only to 
shame and confusion. Watchfulness, wakeful- 
ness, longing, as to the second advent are re- 
quisites to joy and reward when the Lord comes. 
Identifying ourselves with Christ, by a true 
and living faith, working for Him in the way 
He points out, occupying our stations in life 
and performing our duties with diligence and 
integrity, and waiting for the Son of God from 
the heavens, constitute readiness for that event. 

And now, my brethren, what shall I say to 
persuade you to attend to this solemn matter? 



TURNING FROM IDOLS AND WAITING FOR CHRIST. 193 

I have not made these opinions and views. I 
have endeavored faithfully to develop the words 
of the text in the light of the Scriptures. And 
I believe the views here presented are the veri- 
ties of God. Let us ask ourselves are we Thes- 
salonian Christians ? Is ours the kind of Chris- 
tianity which Paul commends and for which 
he said he was bound to thank God and for 
which he laid his head on the martyr's block? 
If not, then we come short of some of the re- 
quisites of true religion and are endangering 
our souls. Turn not away from this momentous 
subject. Prayerfully and diligently give it the 
study and attention it deserves, that you may 
at last attain the crown of life, and be admitted 
into the glories of the kingdom of our coming 
Lord. And may *'the very God of peace sancti- 
fy you wholly," that ''your whole spirit and 
soul and body may be preserved blameless unto 
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ' ' 



"Where hast thou gleaned to-day ?"— Ruth 2: 19. 

AMONG the towns and villages of Judea, 
Bethlehem has always been a place of 
peculiar interest. It is a place to which 
the mind reverts with pleasure. Its name is 
associated with important personages. It was 
here that David, Israel's great king, was born. 
And it was over the hillsides and among the 
valleys that surround it, that, when quite a 
youth, he led his father's flocks. It was here 
that the Saviour of the world was born. And 
among these same hillsides and valleys shep- 
herds were keeping watch at night, when **the 
glory of the Lord shone round about them,'' 
and the angels appeared and announced to them 
the advent of Christ the Lord in the city of 
David, and celestial choirs sang songs of glory 
and praise to the Highest over the birth of the 
heavenly babe. It is the place also where 
Naomi and Ruth and Boaz lived, and where 
those touching scenes transpired an account of 
which we have in the book of Ruth. A modern 
traveler says that round about the town even 

194 



LIFE A GLEANING. 195 

now ** there are many fig orchards and vine- 
yards, marks of industry and thrift; and the 
adjacent fields, though stony and rough, pro- 
duce nevertheless good crops of grain." ^^It 
was here that the scene of the beautiful narra- 
tive of Ruth gleaning in the fields of Boaz after 
his reapers, was laid; and it requires no great 
stretch of imagination, to call up those trans- 
actions before our eyes. ' ' 

It is the time of the summer harvest. The 
fields of Bethlehem stretching away in gentle 
undulations as far as the eye can reach, or 
rudely broken by the abrupt ascent of some 
precipitous hill, stand thick with the yellow 
ripened grain. The sun, as he climbs up the 
side of the heavens, sends down his hot beams, 
bathing all nature in his lurid light, until the 
eye is oppressed with the glare, and the air 
quivers and trembles over the heated earth. 
The dew has all been exhaled. The cattle have 
sought refuge from the oppressive heat, in the 
cool shade of some friendly tree. The birds 
have retired to their leafy coverts in the forest. 
The breeze of the morning has died away. All 
is silent and still except an occasional rustle 
as the dry and brittle stalks strike against each 
other. The bearded heads of grain hang down 
heavy with the abundant yield of a plentiful 
harvest. The reapers have entered upon their 
work. Their sharp sickles flash in the sunlight, 



196 LIFE A GLEANING. 

as each stroke adds another armful of the 
golden grain to that already cut. Boaz, the 
master of the field, comes out from Bethlehem 
to view his workmen. As he approaches he 
greets them with the simple salutation, ^*The 
Lord be with you. ' ^ They answer in the rever- 
ent response, ^^The Lord bless thee.'' In the 
same field, following in the path of the reapers, 
is a damsel, gathering, one by one, the stalks 
that have accidentally fallen from the hands 
of the men, as, by the custom of the country, 
she is allowed to do. It is Euth the Moabitish 
woman that lately came to Bethlehem with her 
mother-in-law Naomi, out of the land of Moab. 
Boaz approaches her and speaks kindly to her, 
saying, ^^Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go 
not to glean in another field, neither go from 
hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. Let 
thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, 
and go thou after them. ' ' Encouraged by these 
friendly words she continues her work, ventur- 
ing to glean even among the sheaves. And at 
mealtime she draws near and sits beside the 
reapers, and eats of the bread and dips her mor- 
sel in the vinegar and takes of the parched corn 
that's reached out to her; and rises up re- 
freshed and strengthened for the labor of the 
afternoon. Through the long hours of the sun 's 
decline she continues her weary work: and as 
the shadows lengthen over the plain, and the 



LIFE A GLEANING. 197 

evening comes on, she sits down and beats out 
the full ripe heads, and gathering the grain 
together, lifts up her heavy load, and moves 
slowly along over the dusty road towards her 
home in Bethlehem. Her day's labor is over. 
From early morning she has been toiling in the 
field, collecting the scattered stalks as they 
dropped from the sheaves. And now with the 
results of her labor she seeks the home of 
Naomi : and on entering the house and deposit- 
ing her burden, her mother-in-law asks her, 
** Where hast thou gleaned to-day f 

Such is the account of that day's work in 
the harvest field of Bethlehem. And if you but 
vary the scene a little and alter the circum- 
stances somewhat, you have a picture of human 
life. The world is a great harvest field. Its 
ripened fruits of knowledge and of holiness 
stand ready to be gathered. Men and women 
are its reapers and its gleaners. And the great 
Master stands overlooking all, watching the 
progress of His laborers and dispensing to each 
his necessary encouragement and support. The 
work of each continues throughout life. Nor 
does any one amass at one grasp, all the fruits 
that he obtains from this great harvest field; 
but they are gleaned a little at a time through 
the whole length of his stay here. 

I. Life a-gleaning, then, is the great lesson 



198 LIFE A GLEANING. 

suggested by that scene that transpired in the 
field of Boaz. 

It is a law of nature that nothing obtains its 
full development at once. It is by the regular 
addition of one thing after another, that per- 
fection is attained. God even did not make this 
world by only one exertion of His power. There 
was a succession in the formation of its parts. 
It was only after the lapse of time, and the 
creation of one portion after another that it 
was completed. And throughout the whole 
natural world the same thing holds good. A 
tree does not become a tree in a moment. There 
must first be the planting of the germ; that 
sends forth a sprout, which appears above the 
ground, and by drawing up the juices of the 
earth, and receiving the influences of the sun 
and air it gradually develops into a stalk, with 
its little sprigs springing out at intervals ; and 
it is only when some time has rolled by, and 
after one little particle after another has been 
deposited in its appropriate place, that the big 
round trunk is formed, with its thick boughs 
extending out on every side, supporting their 
branches, with all their ramifications of twigs 
covered with foliage. 

And as with the works of nature so with 
those of man. The pyramids, those mas- 
sive monuments of the toil and patience of 
bygone days, were built by the simple placing 



LIFE A GLEANING. 199 

of one stone on the top of another, until by the 
gradual accumulation of these separate insig- 
nificant parts, their wedge-like forms tower 
aloft piercing the very clouds, reflecting the 
rays of the setting sun long after he has ceased 
to shine on the plains below, and withstanding 
the storms and tempests of the ages. 

Man's own body is a growth. It grows and 
is nourished by gleanings gathered from time 
to time. One little atom after another is placed 
in its proper position, until the fibres and 
nerves and muscles and all the various parts 
of the structure, are completely formed and 
developed. 

His mind, too, is trained and educated and 
filled with knowledge by this same process of 
gleaning. He commences by learning the sim- 
plest rudiments ; then by picking up the various 
facts and incidents, and illustrations and pro- 
cesses of reasoning that are met with, further 
attainments are made; and by searching out 
new fields of inquiry, and collecting here and 
there the scattered grains of truth, sifting them 
from their enf oldings of chaif , and storing them 
away in the mind, those vast advances in all the 
departments of learning and science are made 
which dignify and grace mankind. 

It is by gleaning also in the same great 
harvest field, that he is spiritually trained and 
strengthened. When a man becomes a Chris- 



200 LIFE A GLEANING. 

tian lie does not thereby become a perfect saint. 
The germs and implantations of grace are in 
his soul, but these need to grow and to be 
brought out before they will obtain perfection. 
Though the dominion of sin is broken, it is not 
yet completely subdued. There still remain in 
him those unholy desires and lusts of the flesh 
which have to be crucified; and those sinful 
motions and tendencies of his depraved nature 
which must be overcome. And the graces and 
virtues of Christianity have to be cultivated. 
This is a gradual process. It takes time and 
c6sts labor. He must give all diligence, to 
* ' add to his faith virtue ; and to virtue knowl- 
edge; and to knowledge temperance; and to 
temperance patience ; and to patience godliness ; 
and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to 
brotherly kindness charity.'' 

And the Christian must cultivate these in the 
great harvest field of the world. He comes in 
contact with its rude reapers and workmen, 
and moves over its rough stubble field; often 
lacerating his feet and tripping over the briers 
that run close to the earth. But it is here that 
he gathers those heavenly fruits which lie scat- 
tered over the surface. He gleans out the good 
grain from among the briers and dead roots 
which cover the ground. For how is it that 
his faith is strengthened? Is it not by seeing 
from time to time some promise fulfilled? or 



LIFE A GLEANING. 201 

experiencing some deliverance from evil ; or by 
making some little advance in holiness; or be- 
holding God's cause triumph over wickedness, 
or by seeing in some of the various scenes of 
life the truth of His Word verified? How is it 
that gentleness is cultivated? Is it not by 
resisting the outbursts of anger, and keeping- 
down the uprisings of passion, which from time 
to time occur; by bearing patiently with the 
little provocations, that are met with, and still 
preserving a calm and unruffled frame of mind 
amid the rude jostlings and cankering cares 
of daily life? Is it not by repressing the tart 
reply, the reproachful word, the uncalled for 
sneer, that is so ready to issue from our lips? 
Is it not by returning good for the evil which 
is received, and bearing meekly with the unkind 
words and deeds of friends and foes? How is 
it that charity is cultivated? Is it not by per- 
forming one little act of love after another ; by 
speaking here and there a friendly word, and 
making where needed a kindly bestowment? Is 
it not by repressing those ill feelings which 
would lead us to judge severely or harshly, or 
to think ill of our neighbors ; and by cherishing 
such a fraternal spirit as will lead us to put 
the best construction on their actions, and to 
render them the assistance they need, when the 
opportunity offers? And so with the other 
spiritual graces and virtues. They are acquired 



202 LIFE A GLEANING. 

and developed as we move along in our field of 
Christian labor. They are strengthened and 
increased by successive acts. We add to what 
has been already gained by continued gleanings, 
gathered from the harsh, sharp stubble field of 
the world, even though the hand is wounded 
in the effort. It is by picking up one golden 
stalk of grain after another that the armful 
is obtained. Nor do we know at first how 
much precious grain is secured in this way. 
It is only after it has been beaten out and 
sifted from the chaff, that the fruit of our 
labors appears. Then at the close of the day 
it will be seen how much has been gathered, 
and what great stores have been collected by 
these little gleanings. Great spiritual attain- 
ments are not made by one act, but by a con- 
tinued succession of little acts during the whole 
labor of life. 

11. A second suggestion of the text is that 
to each one there is assigned a particular field 
for this gleaning. '^ Where hast thou gleaned 
to-day?" was the question of Naomi. Ruth 
gleaned in the field of Boaz, nor did she leave 
it for any other, but continued there until the 
end of the harvest. And so to every one there 
is a special sphere of action appointed, in 
which he is required to labor. *^We are not a 
race of independent creatures abandoned to live 
without control." We were not created, to be 



LIFE A GLEANING. 203 

cast off to take care of ourselves, and to 
roam at large without guidance and oversight. 
Though possessing freedom of will we are 
under the direction of our Maker. 

The object of the existence of every one is 
the same — to do the will of God — and to live 
to His glory. And yet the way in which this 
is done may vary in an endless manner. Almost 
as great as is the diversity in the individual 
members of the human race is the diversity in 
their spheres of action and lines of duty. * * The 
l3ody is not one member but many. ' ' And each 
member occupies its own appropriate place, and 
performs its appropriate work. No one part 
usurps the place of another, nor can one part 
perform the functions of another. And the 
health and good of the whole body is best 
secured when each member fulfils the special 
duty assigned to it in the most perfect manner. 
God has appointed **some apostles; and some 
prophets ; and some evangelists ; and some pas- 
tors and teachers.'' The position of an apostle 
is greatly different from that of a teacher, 
and the position of a teacher again from that 
of a learner. Each one moves in the particular 
place assigned him, finding in that place differ- 
ent duties and requirements from all the others. 
So, also, there is an endless variety in the 
spheres of individuals. But the work of each 
one consists in acting well his part wherever 



204 LIFE A GLEANING. 

he may find himself placed; in advancing in 
holiness in the course which is prescribed to 
him; in gleaning in his own field of labor, and 
in gathering from it all the good he can obtain. 

Nor should any one suppose that he could 
better perform the work assigned in some other 
position than that in which he is really placed. 
There are some who are always complaining 
of their hard state; and of the difficulties that 
they have to meet. They are never satisfied; 
imagining that their lot is harder to bear than 
that of any one else. Because they cannot see 
into the hidden and private life of others, and 
only view what is more public and exposed, 
which is always the fairest; they think that 
others are not subjected to the same or similar 
trials with themselves. They are ever envying 
those around them, and wishing that they were 
as fortunate. They suppose that they could 
more easily carry out their Christian profes- 
sion, that they would not have such difficult 
temptations to overcome, that they could more 
readily cultivate the graces of the Christian, 
that they would not have so much to perplex 
and vex them, and that they could in all respects 
approve themselves better Christians, if they 
were only in some other condition in life. 

The humble and obscure long for a position 
among the more honored and exalted, and think 
that then they would have much greater oppor- 



LIFE A GLEANING. 205 

trinities for growing in grace. The poor sigh 
for a position among the rich, and contemplate 
the liberal bestowments they would thus be 
enabled to make for the good of their fellow 
men. *^The young ascribe their errors to the 
impetuosity so natural to their age. Those 
who are more advanced in years are ready to 
imagine that if they enjoyed more leisure, and 
were not so entangled with the cares and per- 
plexities of their active station, they should be 
better able to attend to the duties incumbent 
on them as Christians. The aged are wishing 
for the energy and capacity of attention which 
belong to youth.'' But all these are vain im- 
aginings, airy suppositions. Joseph was just 
as much approved of God, advancing just as 
much in holiness, and cultivating virtue, while 
as a slave he was serving his master, as when 
seated upon a throne next to that of Pharaoh 
he directed the affairs of Egypt. David was 
doing the will of Grod and securing his own 
good as well when, as a shepherd lad, he ad- 
vanced with his sling and smooth pebbles to 
fight the Philistine giant, as when clad in royal 
purple he swayed the sceptre of a king. John 
the Baptist abiding in the wilderness, living on 
locusts and wild honey, and preaching the 
coming of the kingdom of God to those who 
flock to hear him, is doing more good to his 
fellow men, and receiving more good to his own 



206 LIFE A GLEANING. 

soul, than Herod surrounded with all Ms pomp 
and magnificence, and receiving the homage and 
tribute of his subjects. 

We promote our best interests, and secure 
our greatest happiness by conforming ourselves 
to the position in which we are placed; by 
improving the opportunities that are actually 
afforded us ; and by gathering from the various 
circumstances by which we are surrounded all 
the good we can. ^^If we do not now love and 
fear Grod — if we cannot now resist temptation^ 
mortify corruption, and devote ourselves to the 
service of God — ^if we do not now form any 
resolution to live as Christians — ^we may be 
assured that a change of circumstances will 
not avail. ' ' We have not come into our various 
fields of action through chance, nor have we 
placed ourselves in them. The Supreme Euler 
of the Universe directs our ways. He knows 
our fitness for the stations we occupy; and he 
has wisely ordered all things for our greatest 
good. The great objects of our being will be 
best secured by filling out the line of our duty 
which has been marked out for us. By gleaning 
in our own appointed harvest field, and not 
longing or searching for another. 

III. A third point suggested by the text is 
that there is a certain time fixed in which this 
work is to be done. The harvest time is a set 
period of the year. It has its commencement 



LIFE A GLEANING. 207 

and its ending. And between these two points 
the labor must all be performed. It does not 
last all the year. And when the proper season 
has passed it is too late to attempt to reap the 
grain and gather the gleanings. A beginning 
of the work must be made also as soon as the 
harvest sets in. It does not last long. A few 
weeks will cover the whole period. Every 
moment, therefore, is precious; and every 
moment must be busily employed. 

So a man's life is his harvest time: and it is 
divinely limited. ** There is an appointed time 
to man upon earth. ' ' He has his set boundaries 
beyond which he cannot go. As he cannot add 
one cubit to his stature, so he cannot add one 
day to his age. 

And as his life is fixed and limited so it is 
brief. His days glide quickly by. What flies 
faster than time? The moments are gone as 
soon as counted. **Are not my days few?'' 
says Job. ^* Behold thou hast made my days 
as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing 
before Thee, ' ' said David. Like a fragile flower 
man springs up, and blooms for a little while, 
and then fades away. Like the morning dew 
that sparkles but for an hour, and is then ex- 
haled by the rising sun, so he endures for a 
short time and then disappears. His harvest 
is soon over. The hours of his active labor 
pass rapidly away. There must be no dallying 



• 



208 LIFE A GLEANING. 

with the work that is to be done. There are 
no moments to spare; none too many for the 
duty in hand. His work of gleaning must com- 
mence as early as possible and be continued 
industriously, for 

Beyond the waking and the sleeping, 
" Beyond the gathering and the strewing 
Beyond the reaping and the gleaning 
He shall be soon. 

The consideration of this subject now, my hear- 
ers, should lead us: 

1. To be content with our various positions 
and stations in life. We are not the arbiters 
of our own destiny. We have not the control 
•of our own ways. We are under the direction 
of an overruling Providence. God is wise and 
good. The appointments He has made concern- 
ing us are the best. Our welfare and happiness 
will be most secured when we most completely 
fill out the duties of our Christian calling in 
the several positions in which we find ourselves 
placed. Sighing and longing for other condi- 
tions and circumstances will not do us any good. 
It will only make us dissatisfied, fretful and 
unhappy. And, besides, if we should by any 
means be placed in the positions we seek, we 
would find there obstacles to be overcome, and 
duties to be performed, and temptations to be 
resisted, just as great as those we experience 



LIFE A GLEANING. 209 

now. Other conditions will not increase our 
final happiness. For when we come up to stand 
before the Judge we will not be asked whether 
we could have performed the work assigned to 
another more faithfully than our own, but 
whether we have fully performed our own. Not 
whether we could have gleaned more in another 
field, but whether we have gathered all the 
stalks of grain that lay scattered over our own. 
* ^ Be content with such things as ye have " : so 
will you best please God, and promote your own 
comfort and peace. 

2. The consideration of this subject should 
also lead us to be faithful and earnest in our 
work. This life is the only harvest season we 
have. The gleaning that is to be done, must 
be done now. The good that is to be gathered, 
must be gathered now. Time flies and if we are 
not earnest and faithful, it may pass away 
before we have gone over half the field. It 
becomes each one to attach himself with more 
seriousness, alacrity and fervor to the proper 
duties of his station than ever. If any have 
strayed away from their proper duty let them 
return to it as speedily as possible. If any 
have become wearied and inattentive, let them 
bestir themselves and labor with energy, for 
the sun is fast setting, darkness will soon over- 
take them. If any have not yet turned in from 
the dusty highroad of pleasure and of sin, let 



210 LIFE A GLEANING. 

them at once alter their course, enter upon the 
harvest field of Christian labor, and set them- 
selves to gather the gleanings of good. 

" 'Tis not for man to trifle! Life is brief, 

And sin is here. 
Our age is but the falling of a leaf, 

A dropping tear. 
We have no time to sport away the hours. 
All must be earnest in a world like ours." 

** Not many lives, but only one have we 

One, only one; — 
How sacred should that one life be — 

That narrow span ! 
Day after day filled up with blessed toil. 

Hour after hour still bringing in new spoil.'* 

And so, when, after a life of holy activity, and 
energetic labor, we come to stand before the 
great Master, and lay down the precious 
sheaves that we have gleaned, we will hear His 
gracious words of approbation and reward, 
**Well done, good and faithful servants, enter 
into the joy of your Lord!" 



Khvtnt 



'* And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, be- 
cause he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the 
kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A 
certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a king- 
dom, and to return. And he called his ten servants and delivered 
them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.^' — 
Luke 19: 11-13. 

THESE words reveal to us the secret 
thoughts of our Lord's disciples at this 
period of His ministry. They were 
drawing nigh to Jerusalem. They gathered 
from their Master's sayings that something 
remarkable was about to happen. They had a 
strong impression that one great end of His 
coming into the world was about to be accom- 
plished. So far they were quite right, but as 
to the precise nature of the event about to 
happen they were quite wrong. 

Let us attend 

L To the mistake into which the disciples 
had fallen. What was this mistake? Let us 
try to understand it. 

Our Lord's disciples seem to have thought 
that the Old Testament promises of Messiah's 
visible kingdom and glory were about to be 
immediately fulfilled. They believed rightly 

211 



212 ADVENT. 

that He was ideed the Messiah — the Christ of 
God. But they blindly supposed that He was 
at once to take to Himself His great power 
and reign gloriously over the earth. This was 
the sum and substance of their error. They ap- 
peared to have concluded that now was the day 
and now the hour, when the Redeemer would 
build up Zion and appear in His glory — when 
He would smite the earth with the rod of His 
mouth, and with the breath of His lips slay the 
wicked, — when He would assemble the outcasts 
of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah, 
— when He would take the heathen for His in- 
heritance and the uttermost part of the earth 
for His possession, — ^when He would reign in 
Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His 
ancients gloriously, — ^when the kingdom and the 
dominion and the greatness of the kingdom 
under the whole heaven, would be given to the 
saints of the Most High. Such appears to have 
been the mistake into which our Lord 's disciples 
had fallen, at the time when He spoke the 
Parable of the Pounds. 

It was a great mistake unquestionably. They 
did not realize that before all these prophecies 
could be fulfilled, it behooved Christ to suffer. 
Their sanguine expectations overleaped the 
crucifixion and the long period to follow, and 
bounded forward to the final glory. They did 
not see that there was to be a first advent of 



ADVENT. 213 

the Messiah **to be cut off," before the second 
advent of Messiah to reign. They did not per- 
ceive that the sacrifices and ceremonies of the 
law of Moses were first to receive their fulfill- 
ment in a better sacrifice and a better high 
priest, and in the shedding of blood more pre- 
cious than that of bulls and of goats. They did 
not comprehend that before the glory Christ 
must be crucified, and a people gathered for 
His name from among the Gentiles by the 
preaching of the Gospel. They grasped part of 
the prophetical word but not all. They saw that 
Christ was to have a kingdom, but they did not 
see that He was to be wounded and bruised, 
and be an offering for sin. They understood 
the dispensation of the crown and the glory, 
but not the dispensation of the cross and the 
shame. Such was their mistake. 

It was a mistake, however, which we Gen- 
tiles are bound to regard with much tenderness 
and consideration. The modern Gentile Chris- 
tians have fallen into an error, parallel with 
that of our Jewish brethren, and an error far 
more inexcusable because we have more light. 
If the Jew thought too exclusively of Christ 
reigning, has not the Gentile thought too ex- 
clusively of Christ suffering? If the Jew could 
see nothing in Old Testament prophecy but 
Christ's exaltation and final power, has not the 
Gentile often seen nothing but Christ's humilia- 



214 



ADVENT. 



tion and the preaching of the Gospel? If the 
Jew has dwelt too much on Christ ^s second 
advent, has not the Gentile dwelt too exclusively 
on Christ ^s first? If the Jew ignored the cross, 
has not the Gentile ignored the crown? It 
seems to me that we have not rightly under- 
stood **all that the prophets have spoken'' 
about the second personal advent of Christ, any 
more than the Jews did about the first. And 
because we have done this we should speak of 
such mistakes as that referred to in our text 
with much tenderness. 

This subject affects the whole question at 
issue between ourselves and the unconverted 
Jew. Unless we interpret the prophetical por- 
tion of the Old Testament in the simple literal 
meaning of its words, we will find it no easy 
matter to carry on an argument with an uncon- 
verted Jew. 

You would probably tell him that Jesus of 
Nazareth was the Messiah promised in the Old 
Testament Scriptures. To those Scriptures you 
would refer him for proof. You would show 
him how it was prophesied that the Messiah 
should suffer and die and rise again. You 
would tell him that the 22d Psalm, the 53d 
of Isaiah ; Daniel 9 : 26 ; Micah, 5 : 2, etc., were 
literally fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. You 
would urge upon him that he ought to believe 
these Scriptures, and receive Christ as the 



ADVENT. 215 

Messiah. All very good. So far you do well. 
But suppose the Jew asks you if you take all 
the prophecies of the Old Testament in their 
simple, literal meaning. Suppose he asks you 
if you believe in a literal personal advent of 
the Messiah to reign over the earth in glory, — 
a literal restoration of Judah and Israel to 
Palestine — a literal rebuilding and restoration 
of Zion and Jerusalem. Suppose he puts these 
questions to you, what answer are you prepared 
to make 1 Will you tell him that the Old Testa- 
mient prophecies of this kind are not to be taken 
in their plain, literal sense? Will you tell him 
that the glorious kingdom and future blessed- 
ness of Zion, so often dwelt upon in prophecy 
mean nothing more than the gradual Christian- 
izing of the world by missionaries'? Will you 
tell him that you think it *^ carnal '' to take such 
Scriptures literally," — '^carnaP' to expect a 
literal rebuilding of Jerusalem, — ** carnal" to 
expect a literal coming of the Messiah to reign, 
— ** carnal" to look for a literal gathering and 
restoration of Israel? If so, do you not see that 
you are putting a weapon in the hand of the 
unconverted Jew, which he will probably use 
with irresistible power? Do you not see that 
you are cutting the ground from under your 
own feet, and supplying the Jew with a strong 
argument for not believing your own interpre- 
tation of Scripture? Do you not see that the 



216 ADVENT. 

Jew will reply that it is ** carnal" to tell him 
that Messiah has come literally to suffer, if 
you tell him it is carnal to expect Messiah to 
come literally to reign? Will not the Jew tell 
you it is far more carnal in you to believe that 
the Messiah could come into the world as a 
despised, crucified man of sorrows, than it is 
in him to believe that He will come into the 
world as a glorious King? What answer could 
you give him ? 

Eead the Scriptures in the light of these two 
great pole stars, the first and second advents of 
Jesus Christ. Bind up with the first advent the 
rejection of the Jews, the calling of the Gentiles, 
the preaching of the Gospel as a witness to the 
world, and the gathering out of the world a 
people for Christ ^s name. Bind up with the 
second advent the restoration of the Jews, the 
pouring out of judgments on unbelieving Chris- 
tendom, the conversion of the world and the 
establishment of Christ's kingdom on earth. 
Do this and you will see a meaning and fullness 
in prophecy which perhaps you never discov- 
ered before. 

We should interpret unfulfilled prophecy in 
the light of prophecies already fulfilled. The 
curses on the Jews were brought to pass liter- 
ally; — so also will be the blessings. The scat- 
tering was literal ; so also will be the gathering. 



ADVENT. 217 

The rejection of Israel was literal, so also will 
be the restoration. 

We should interpret the events that shall 
accompany Christ's second advent by the light 
of those accompanying His first advent. The 
first advent w^as visible, literal, personal; — so 
also will be His second. His first advent was 
with a literal body ; — so also will be His second. 
The least predictions concerning His first ad- 
vent were fulfilled to the very letter; so also 
will they be at His second. The shame was 
literal and visible, so also will be His glory. 

We ought to regard the mistake of our Lord 's 
disciples with tenderness and consideration. 
We ought not to condemn them, for great as 
was their mistake, that of modern Christians 
has been almost as bad. We have been very 
quick in discovering the mote in our Jewish 
brother's eye and have not discerned the beam 
in our own. The Jew looked too much to the 
final glory of Christ, and turned away from the 
cross ; we have fixed our gaze on the cross and 
have been neglectful of the kingly reign and 
glory of Christ to be revealed at His second 
coming. 

II. The second point to which I direct your 
attention is the present position of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. What is He doing now? The 
parable answers that question. ^*A certain 
nobleman went into a far country to receive for 



218 ADVENT. 

himself a kingdom and to return. This noble- 
man represents the Lord Jesus, and that in two 
respects. Like the nobleman He has gone into 
a far country to receive for Himself a kingdom. 
He has not received it yet in full possession 
though He has received it in promise. He has 
a spiritual kingdom unquestionably. He is king 
over the hearts of His believing people, and they 
are all His faithful subjects. Without contro- 
versy He has a controlling power over the 
world. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. 
^^By Him all things consist,'' and without His 
permission nothing can happen. But His vis- 
ible complete kingdom He has not yet. entered 
into. ^^We see not yet all things put under 
Him.'' To use the words of the 110th Psalm: 
**He sits on the right hand of the Father till 
His enemies are made His footstool." The 
devil reigns over the hearts and lives of the 
mass of the people of this world. They choose 
the things that please the devil far more than 
the things that please Grod. Little as they may 
think it, they are doing the devil 's will, behaving 
as the devil's subjects, and serving the devil 
far more than they are serving Christ. This 
is the actual condition of Christendom as well 
as of heathen countries. After 1800 years of 
Bibles and Gospel preaching, there is not a 
nation or a country, a city or a town, where the 
devil has not more subjects than Christ. So 



ADVENT. 219 

fearfully true is it that the world is not yet 
the kingdom of Christ. Christ is followed by 
a few and they often neither great nor wise, 
but they are a faithful people. But He has 
none of the visible signs of the kingdom at 
present on earth, no earthly glory, majesty or 
greatness. The vast majority of mankind see no 
beauty in Him. They will not have this Man to 
reign over them. His people are not honored 
for their Master ^s sake. They walk the earth 
like princes in disguise. His kingdom of glory 
is not yet come. His will is not yet done on 
earth as it is in heaven. He is gathering out 
a people who are carrying the cross and walk- 
ing in His steps, but the time of His coronation 
has not yet arrived. 

But just as the Lord Jesus, like the 
nobleman, went to receive a kingdom, so like 
the nobleman He intends one day to return, 
and then and not till then will Christ take to 
Himself His power and reign over all the earth. 
He left His servants as a nobleman. He will 
return to His subjects as a King. Then He 
intends to cast out the old usurper, the devil, 
and strip him of his power. Then He will make 
a restitution of the face of creation. It will 
be the world's jubilee day. The King will at 
last have His will done. At last men shall say, 
*'The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.*' 
Then will He execute judgment on all the un- 



220 ADVENT. 

godly despisers of His word, and in flaming 
fire take vengeance on them that know not God 
and obey not His Gospel. Then He will raise 
His dead saints and gather His living ones, and 
gather together the scattered tribes of Israel, 
and set np an empire in which every knee shall 
bow to Him, and every tongue confess that 
Jesus Christ is Lord. 

When, how all these things shall be we can 
not say. Enough for us to know they shall be. 
The Lord Jesus waits for the time appointed 
By the Father and then shall they be brought 
to pass. Now He is sitting at the right hand 
of the Father — interceding as a high priest in 
the holy of holies for His people — adding to 
their number such as shall be saved by the 
preaching of the Gospel, — and waiting until the 
appointed day of His power, when He shall 
come forth to bless His people and to sit on 
His throne. 

Have these things clearly in your mind, 
and then you will not cherish extravagant 
expectations of any church, minister or reli- 
gious machinery in the present dispensation. 
You will not marvel to see ministers and mis- 
sionaries not meeting with greater success. You 
will not wonder to find that while some believe 
the Gospel, many do not believe. You will 
not be depressed in seeing the children of the 
world in every place many, and the children of 



ADVENT. 221 

God feiv. You will remember that the days are 
evil, and that the time of general conversion has 
not yet arrived. Alas ! for the man who expects 
a millennium before the Lord Jesus returns. 
How can this be if the world in the day of His 
coming is to be found as it was in the days of 
Noah and Lot. 

Be assured of these truths and vou will not 
be surprised by the continuance of immense 
evils in the world. Wars, tumults, oppression, 
dishonesty, selfishness, covetousness, supersti- 
tion, bad government and abounding heresies 
will not appear to you unaccountable. You will 
not sink down into a morbid, misanthropic con- 
dition when you see laws and reforms and 
education failing to make mankind perfect. 
You will not relapse into a state of apathy and 
disgust when you see churches full of imper- 
fections and godly people making mistakes. 
You will say to yourself, **The time of Christ's 
kingdom has not yet arrived — the devil is still 
working among his children and sowing tares 
among the good seed — the true King is yet to 
come.'* 

This will also explain why God delays the 
final glory, and allows things to go on as they 
do in this world. It is not that He is not able 
to prevent evil — it is not that He is slack in 
fulfilling His promises — ^but He is taking out 
for Himself a people by the preaching of His 



222 ADVENT. 

Gospel. He is long suffering — not willing that 
any should perish, but that all should come to 
repentance. 

Think on these things and you will be often 
looking for the coming of the day of God. You 
will regard the second advent as a glorious and 
comfortable truth, around which your best 
hopes will all be clustered. You will not merely 
think of Christ crucified, but you will think also 
of Christ coming again to reign. You will long 
for the day of refreshing and manifestation of 
tlie sons of God. You will find peace in looking 
back to the cross, and you will find joyful hope 
in looking forward to the kingdom. For as 
surely as Christ has gone into a far country to 
receive a kingdom, so surely will He come as 
a King. 

III. What is the present duty of all Christ's 
professing disciples ? We find an answer in the 
act and words of the nobleman in the Parable 
to his servants, ' ' He delivered them ten pounds 
and said unto them. Occupy until I come." 
These words are spoken to all who call them- 
selves Christians. They address the conscience 
of every one who has not renounced his baptism 
and formally turned his back on Christianity. 

The Lord Jesus bids you occupy. By that 
He means that you are to be a doer in your 
Christianity, and not merely a hearer and pro- 
fessor. He wants His servants not only to re- 



ADVENT. 223 

ceive His wages and eat His bread, and to 
dwell in His house, and belong to His family — 
but also to do His work. You are to ^*let your 
light so shine before men that they may see 
your good works." Have you faith? It must 
not be a dead faith, but a faith that works by 
love. Are you redeemed! You are redeemed 
that you may be a peculiar people, zealous of 
good works. Do you love Christ? Prove the 
reality of your love by keeping His command- 
ments. Beware of an idle, gossiping, senti- 
mental, do-nothing religion. Think not because 
your works cannot justify you, nor cleanse you 
from a single sin, that therefore it matters not 
whether you do anything at all. Away witk 
such a delusion. Cast it behind you as an in- 
vention of the devil. Think of the house built 
upon the sand and of its miserable end. If 
you would ^^make your calling and election 
sure" be an active working Christian. 

But the Lord Jesus bids you occupy your 
pound. By this He means that He has given 
each one of His believing people the ability and 
the opportunity to glorifiy Him. He would 
have you understand that every one has His 
own sphere of action — the poorest as well as 
the richest; — that every one has an open door 
before him, and may, if he will, show forth 
his Master's praise. Your bodily health and 
strength, — ^your mental gifts and capacities — 



224 ADVENT. 

your money and earthly possessions — your ex- 
ample and influence with others — ^your liberty 
to read the Bible and hear the Gospel — ^your 
plentiful supply of the means of grace — all 
these are your pounds. All these are to be 
used and employed with a continual reference 
to the glory of Christ. Of Him come riches 
and honor. His is the silver and His is the 
gold. His is your body and His your spirit. 
He appoints your habitation. He gives you life 
and health. You are not your own. You are 
Tbought with a price. Surely it is no great mat- 
ter if He bid you honor and serve Him with all 
that you have. Breathes there a man or woman 
before me, who has received nothing from the 
Lord I Not one I am sure. see to it that 
you lay out your Lord's pounds well and hon- 
estly. Take heed that you do not bury them. 

But your Lord bids you occupy till He comes. 
By this He means that you are to do His work 
on earth, like one who continually looks for His 
return. You are to be like the faithful servant 
who knows not what hour his Master may come 
home, but keeps all things in readiness and is 
always prepared. You are not to suppose that 
you have any freehold in this world, nor even a 
lease. The greatest and richest of mankind 
is only God's tenant-at-will. You are not to 
neglect any social duty or relation in life be- 
cause of your Lord's return. You are to fill 



ADVENT. 225 

the station to wMcli God has called you in a 
godly and Christian way; and you are to be 
ready to go from your place of business to 
meet Christ in the air, if the Lord shall think 
fit. You are to rise and go forth in the morn- 
ing, ready, if need be, to meet Christ at noon. 
You are to lie down in bed at night ready, if 
need be, to be awakened by the midnight cry, 
'^Behold the Bridegroom cometh. '' You are 
to keep your spiritual accounts in a state of 
constant preparation for inspection, for the day 
of Christ ^s coming is the great reckoning day. 
You are to measure all your ways by the meas- 
ure of Christ ^s appearing, and to do nothing in 
which you would not like Jesus to find you 
engaged. How condemning are these words to 
thousands of professing Christians. What an 
utter absence of preparation appears in their 
daily walk and conversation. They give no sign 
of readiness for the second advent. They live 
as if they would never have to give an account 
of the use they have made of their pounds. 
They live as if there was no reckoning day 
before the bar of Christ. They live as if Christ 
had never said *^It is more blessed to give 
than to receive. ' ' « 

Think again how instructive these words are 
to all who are troubled with doubts about 
mingling with the world and taking part in its 
amusements. Here is a true test by which to 



226 ADVENT. 

try all your daily occupations and employments 
and recreations. Would we do this thing if 
we thought Jesus was coming to-night ? Would 
we go to such and such a place if we thought 
Jesus would come and find us there! If not, 
then we ought not to do that thing or go to 
that place. Oh ! that men would live as in the 
sight of Christ. 

How encouraging these words are to all who 
seek first the kingdom of God and His right- 
^ eousness, and love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. 
What though the children of the world regard 
them as righteous overmuch, and call them 
rigid and bigoted and say they require too 
much. They may well reply, ^*I am doing a 
great work and cannot come down ; I am striv- 
ing so to live as to be ready when Christ 
comes. ' ' 



®I|? KtttgJinm Atmmg Mm 

*« The field is the world."— Matt. 13: 38. 

THE Lord Jesus, though not the only, is 
the best speaker of Parables. If we may 
judge from the question of the disciples, 
^*Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?" 
this was a mode of teaching that He used more 
frequently than was customary. A parable is 
founded on resemblance between the world of 
sense and the world of mind, between nature 
and grace, various spheres of human life and 
Divine operation, earth and heaven. *^See'' 
said God to Moses, ^^that thou make all things 
after the pattern shewed thee in the mount.'' 
And as the tabernacle when thus obediently 
constructed and finished, was a parable of 
things in heaven, so this world is full of par- 
ables of the other. God appointed earthly 
things to be imperfect and shadowy representa- 
tions, and to give distant suggestions of things 
which are above. The same consummate intelli- 
gence, the same perfect love presides and acts, 
though in different modes, in both spheres. Not 
to chance, but to a Divine design, is due the 
likeness between the growth of seed and the 

227 



228 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

progress of truth in the human mind and in 
human society. Not to chance but to design is 
due the correspondence between the prevailing 
request of a son to his father for bread, and 
our efficacious petition to our heavenly Father 
for His Holy Spirit. Not to chance, but to 
design is it due, that the undeserved welcome, 
the complete forgiveness, the gushing, tender 
love wherewith the father receives back his lost 
son, should encourage the sinner to return with 
sorrow and trust to infinite mercy. Not to 
chance, but to design is it due, that the tenderest 
of all human relationships shadows forth the 
union of Christ and His church. And so of 
the rest. 

The parables then are not arbitrary, nor are 
they felicitous guesses, but are founded on 
actual correspondences of natural and spiritual 
things. Now as Christ is the Word and Wis- 
dom of God, by whom all things are created, 
no other being is acquainted with them so well 
as He. No other can so readily speak in par- 
ables; that is, read off the mystic meaning of 
the sacred characters which are written on all 
things around us — on the farm and the garden, 
the house and the family, the processes of 
labor, and the relations of human life. 

When the disciples asked our Lord, **Why 
speakest Thou unto them in parables!'^ He 
answered, ** Because it is given unto you to 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 229 

know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, 
but to them it is not given. ' ' The parable has 
a twofold operation. It works variously ac- 
cording to the discernment of the hearer. From 
the dull and gross it veils the fullness of the 
truth, whose brightness would prevent their 
reception of it. To the more advanced and 
spiritually minded it illustrates the truth, and 
makes it more affecting. 

The field is the world. Apart from Revela- 
tion, this world is a strangely disordered scene. 
It certainly does not correspond to our pre- 
conception of a province of the Divine domin- 
ion. The more closely we observe it, the more 
apparent the disorder. It seems sometimes as 
if the constitution of things were irrespective 
of human characters, and as if men prospered 
or suffered, not in the way of reward or punish- 
ment, but by chance. It seems sometimes as if 
history were without a plan ; as if nations were 
left to themselves ; as if progress were a dream, 
and human affairs instead of moving in order 
towards some happy and beautiful goal, were 
only revolving in a dismal circle, only going 
round but not going on. On the one hand we 
are often deceived by a show of disinterested- 
ness and public spirit, and then sickened at 
discovering unworthy motives, selfishness and 
corruption: or on the other we are wearied by 
the perpetual recurrence of disappointment, the 



230 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

constant seeming issue of vanity. In gloomy 
moments men are sometimes tempted to de- 
spair, and yield to the dreadful and impious 
doctrine, that men are slaves of nature or of 
chance, without a Personal Owner, without the 
watchful care of a Fatherly Providence. 

Even in the church we also see worldliness 
and selfishness and hypocrisy. For nineteen 
centuries has the church existed and her limits 
are still narrow compared with that world, 
which she was commissioned to evangelize. 
The majority of the race are still ^^ sitting in 
darkness and the shadow of death. '^ Even 
our own favored country is far from being in 
conformity with Grod 's will, and but few among 
her children show the character of Christ — His 
supreme and affectionate piety, His purity. His 
rectitude, His wide humanity, His tender, self- 
sacrificing love. 

Shall we then yield to the power of this 
gloomy reflection ? Shall we say that the world 
and the church, if cared for once, are now 
forsaken and left to themselves, or given up 
to Satan? No, brethren, let us beware of this 
tendency as deadly to the soul. Without hope 
and cheerfulness we are undone, and certainly 
we can have neither without faith in God. 
Hear how the prophet pours out his grief: 
* * None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for 
truth ; they trust in vanity, and speak lies ; they 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 231 

conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. . . . 
Therefore judgment is far from us, neither doth 
justice overtake us: we wait for light but be- 
hold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in 
darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, 
and we grope as if we had no eyes : we stumble 
at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate 
places as dead men. We roar all like bears 
and mourn sore like doves: we look for judg- 
ment, but there is none: for salvation but it 
is far from us. . . . And judgment is turned 
away backward, and justice standeth afar off: 
for truth is fallen in the street and equity can- 
not enter. ^' A piteous complaint indeed. Yet 
he refers all, not to any carelessness on God's 
side, but to men's own fault as the root and 
spring of the evil: ** Behold the Lord's hand 
is not shortened that it cannot save ; neither His 
ear heavy that it cannot hear : but your iniqui- 
ties have separated between you and your God, 
and your sins have hid His face from you that 
He will not hear." 

The text uttered by the Son of God Himself, 
plainly teaches, both His rightful ownership of 
us, and His concern for us: *^The field is the 
world. ' ' 

The world is God's field. He has reclaimed 
it from the wilderness of chaos for the purpose 
of cultivation. 

As it is His own He feels an interest in it. A 



232 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

man generally cares for Ms property, and feels 
that his credit is in some measure dependent on 
his management of it. God having created the 
world for Himself never loses sight of it. He 
declared it at first to be very good. He began 
to cultivate it. The Son of man *^ sowed good 
seed.'' And as a man is interested about his 
field, takes delight therein and is anxious about 
it, so Christ is anxious about the possession 
which He purchased with His own blood. He 
carefully superintends it, watches over it, and 
•awaits His reward in the time of harvest. 

As individuals as well as a community, every 
one of us is the property of God, made, re« 
deemed, cared for, watched over ; — a cultivated 
field, fenced and broken up, sown with the good 
seeds of truth — truth taught by parents, pro- 
claimed by ministers, read in the Bible. Not 
one of us is without an owner. The meanest 
and most worthless and despised belongs to the 
same Master as the best, and is cared for and 
guarded by Heaven. Think of this, thou child 
of want and sorrow, and it will cheer thy dark- 
est hour. Remember this, sinner, and it will 
enliven thee with hope of forgiveness and resto- 
ration. All blessedness, all love, all dignity 
awaits thee yet, if only thou wilt return to thy 
Father. 

As the text asserts God to be the Proprietor 
and Superintendent of the world, so also the 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 233 

parable, with the interpretation unfolds the 
cause of the evil which we see prevalent around 
us, which we feel within us and under which we 
groan. It is not the growth of nature : it is not 
the work of God. An enemy hath done this. 
And this enemy our Lord says is the devil. 
He is the enemy of order and of the God of 
order. He is the genius of disorder. He 
introduces confusion and strives to reduce the 
field to a wilderness. As God brought the world 
out of chaos, the devil would turn the world 
back to chaos. All the disorder and confusion, 
the ungodliness, the selfishness, the sensuality 
in the world is his work. His work is the rebel- 
lion in our hearts the lawlessness in our lives. 
He separates men from God, and then estranges 
them from one another. Under his influence 
they forget whose children they are, forget that 
they are brethren. It is he that retards human 
progress, that is ever clogging the wheels of 
morality and intelligence, and placing obstacles 
in the way of the chariot of salvation. It is his 
policy to spoil the work of God, because he is 
the enemy of God and goodness. He has effect- 
ed the degeneracy of human nature, has sown 
tares among the wheat. Where Christ has 
sown His Abels, His Noahs, His Abrahams, His 
Jobs, His Samuels, His Davids, His Hezekiahs, 
His Johns, the devil has sown his Cains, his 
Hams, his Nimrods, his Balaams, his Sauls, his 



234 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

Ahabs and his Judases among them. When 
Christ's Spirit suggests a good thought Satan 
suggests an evil one: when the One kindles 
the pure flame of Divine love, the other lights 
up the reeking fire of lust. An enemy hath done 
this, Christ's enemy and ours. Shall we yield 
to him? Or shall we not rather avail ourselves 
of the strength of Christ, the mighty Con- 
queror, our Friend and Saviour, and through 
Him vanquish the foe? It is Satan that secu- 
larizes the church, and he is the father of heresy 
and division, of false and onesided doctrine, and 
of sectarianism. An enemy hath done this. 
The parable assures us of the final success of 
God's plan and operation in the world. The 
husbandman trustfully looks for the harvest, 
speaks of it as certain; and at the harvest the 
tares shall be separated from the wheat. The 
enemy's success is limited. He has injured the 
uniformity of the field, he has obstructed the 
progress of the wheat, but he cannot prevent 
the harvest. At the end of the world there shall 
be a rich result in the salvation of redeemed 
humanity, of all counsels of the Father, of the 
toils and sorrows of the Son; **He shall see of 
the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.'' 
Eich indeed must that harvest be which will 
satisfy this Husbandman. Then shall confu- 
sion and disorder cease, Satan be finally and 
signally defeated, and his work perish: while 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 235 

the church, thoroughly purified from degener- 
acy and decay, shall appear *^ without spot, or 
wrinkle, or any such thing. ' ^ 

God's harvest of the world! The grandeur 
of the idea overpowers our feeble faculties. 
The harvest of creation and providence which 
shall vindicate eternal righteousness, love and 
wisdom; the harvest of redemption — of the 
patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations, of the 
passion of Calvary, the effusion of Pentecost, 
of apostolic labors, of the struggles of the 
church; the rich result of sunshine and storm, 
of great crises and of periods of quietude, shall 
be reaped by angels, and stowed in the *^barn. *' 
For this great harvest all things are now pre- 
paring. Towards it all are tending. Nothing 
is done or permitted by Providence without 
reference to this. The harvest will be vast as 
the love of God, stupendous as the incarnation 
and the atoning sacrifice, glorious beyond all 
hope, intimation and conception. 

The time is unknown, but the event is certain. 
May every one of us, by God's grace, be at 
that harvest gathered among the wheat into the 
heavenly garner. 

Let us learn from this subject to feel a strong 
and cheerful interest in the great world of 
humanity as belonging to Christ, as cared for 
by Him. The world is Christ's field. The 
nations and their doings, society and govern- 



236 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

ment, agriculture, commerce, science and arty 
all belong to Him. All that in them is good, 
is His operation, and all is subordinated by His 
over-ruling Providence to the best final issues. 
Let us learn the value and dignity of human 
beings as such, irrespective of rank, as the 
objects of Christ's love, and particularly let us 
admire and delight in good men as the noblest 
workmanship of God. Above all let us sympa- 
thize with and help forward by prayer and 
effort, the great work of the church in spread- 
ing the purifying influence of Christianity. It 
is on that, the world's welfare is mainly de- 
pendent : it is by that, that God 's glory may be 
most efficiently and directly promoted. If in one 
aspect good men are the seed, in another they 
are the servants of the Husbandman. ^ ^ Ye are 
laborers together with God: ye are God's 
husbandry," says St. Paul. What an honor- 
able calling — to advance the purposes of Divine 
love, to labor that God's harvest may be more 
plentiful ! Yet this is the honor of every Chris- 
tian. Unhappy, then, the servant who has no 
heart for his Lord's work, who wastes the time 
which belongs to his Master and allows his 
entrusted faculties to rust unused ! But blessed 
are those servants whom their Lord shall find 
faithful and active! For them, no honor shall 
be too great, and from them no rewards shall 
be withheld. Verily I say unto you that even 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 237 

their Lord shall gird Himself, and make them 
to sit down to meat, and shall come forth and 
serve them. 

Let us learn also the incompetency of our 
understanding to deal with the great problems 
of the Divine government. Far be it from us 
to disparage the reason of man or to discourage 
the fullest and freest exercise of it! *^The 
spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. The 
inspiration of the Almighty hath given them 
understanding.^^ Our reason is the grand in- 
strument which God uses in working out our 
salvation, that within us of which He chiefly 
avails Himself in the gracious work of restora- 
tion. To this He always appeals: this He 
strengthens and illuminates ; no impiety can be 
greater than to try to extinguish the faculty 
of thought. There is too little reason to com- 
plain of over activity of mind. On the contrary 
our Lord laments, and His servants have too 
often occasion to lament that the *^ people's 
heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of 
hearing, and their eyes have closed ; lest at any 
time they should see with their eyes, and hear 
with their ears, and should understand with 
their heart, and should be converted, and I 
should heal them. ' ' 

All this is true, but it is true also, that *'he 
who trusteth in his own heart is a fool.'' 
Whoso in haste sets forth his own plans for 



238 THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 

the better administering of the world, who- 
soever attempts to mend it, transcends his duty 
and steps out of his place; much more 
whosoever thus violates express commands, is 
guilty of impiety. In reformation we often 
prove sad bunglers and in gathering out the 
tares are apt to root out the wheat with them. 

If, for instance, because we have evil 
thoughts and are tried with temptation, we do 
violence to our nature, and narrow the sphere 
of human life by voluntary asceticism, we de- 
stroy wheat as well as tares: for we curtail 
the appointed means of our discipline, and 
our opportunities of doing good. Let us indeed 
J)e watchful against temptation; repress every 
rising towards evil, and beware of indulging 
unclean imagination: but let us not endeavor 
to unmake ourselves, or throw a slur on the 
good gifts of Grod, lest we be found dealing in 
the dark spirit of paganism, or the proud spirit 
of Pharisaism, rather than in His spirit, who 
was accused as * * a gluttonous man and a wine- 
bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. '* 

Or if, because of unrighteous and sensual 
men, we are provoked to use rough, sharp and 
forceful measures, instead of such as agree with 
human nature and the spirit of Christ, and are 
the only possible means of success; then our 
clumsiness does more harm than good, and we 
contract the guilt of lessening the harvest by 



THE KINGDOM AMONG MEN. 239 

rooting up wheat, together with tares : that i& 
by hardening these men 's hearts, and thus put- 
ting off their repentance to an unknown day, 
making it unspeakably harder, if not impos- 
sible. 

In the time of harvest these wrongs shall all 
be righted, these evils redressed. Then shall 
the redeemed spirit re-enter the new and per- 
fect body, and the complete man in the likeness 
of the glorified Second Adam, begin his full 
happiness. Then shall the church, set free from 
scandal and offence, from unshapeliness, un- 
cleanness, and darkness, shine with the bright- 
est beams of heaven. The work for which hu- 
man skill is unfit, and for which the time is now 
not yet come, shall be done easily and thor- 
oughly by the right agency, in the time of 
harvest, which is the end of this dispensation. 



^tttrttttg ©lynttgljtH About Wt 

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. 
Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, 
and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord 
draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be 
condemned: behold the judge standeth before the door. Take, my 
brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for 
^n example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count 
them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and 
have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of 
tender mercy. " — James 5: 7-11. 

HUMAN life on earth is full of agitating 
elements. Scarcely a day passes in the 
history of any individual in which some 
circumstance does not occur to disturb the tran- 
quility of the soul; and frequently do events 
transpire which lash the spirit into the wildest 
tumult. It will be our aim to suggest a few 
thoughts adapted to calm and compose our 
troubled hearts. 

One quieting thought suggested by the text is : 
I. That there is a period hastening on that 
will terminate forever the trials of the good. 
^ ^ The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. ' ' * ^ The 
Judge standeth at the door.'' The period re- 
ferred to is Christ's advent to the earth as the 

240 



QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 241 

great Judge. There is a sense in which He 
is with the good man every day now, as Teach- 
er, Priest, Redeemer; but there is a period 
when He will come in visible form as Judge. 
Then He will terminate for ever the connection 
of the pious man with this probationary life, 
where good and evil, truth and error, happiness 
and misery mingle in confusion, and introduce 
him to a scene of perfect purity, truth and 
blessedness. 

This period is not far off. It emphatically 
draweth nigh, and emphatically may it be said 
to us all, **The Judge standeth at the door.'* 
It is not a thing which must be put off until 
distant ages. **The Lord is at hand.'' 

Is not this a quieting thought to the Chris- 
tian ? Not forever will he experience this inner 
conflict of soul, the warring of flesh and spirit ; 
not forever wdll he be subject to pains and 
infirmities of body; not forever will he be 
harassed with worldly thoughts and cares ; not 
forever will he be grieved at the wicked con- 
duct of society, and distressed at the turbid tide 
of depravity that rises and surges around him. 
No ! the Judge is even now ^ ' at the door, ' ' and 
soon will He deliver him from all this. Let 
us *^ comfort one another with these words." 

We shall soon have struck the last blow in 
life 's battle and won the crown. We shall soon 



242 QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 

have passed over the last billows of lifers ocean 
and reached the desired haven. 

Another quieting thought about life sug- 
gested by the text is : 

II. That the trials of the good are in harmony 
with the present state of our history. Our 
present moral position is analogous to that of 
the husbandman in spring. ** Behold the hus- 
bandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the 
earth, and hath long patience for it, until he 
receive the early and latter rain. ' ' What kind 
of life is that of the husbandman in spring? 

1. It is a life of trying labor. He has by 
certain processes of culture, to prepare the soil 
for the precious grain. In his work there is a 
great expenditure of capital, strength and time, 
without any immediate return. He has to pur- 
sue his operations, too, amidst many variations, 
and sometimes severe inclemencies of weather 
that interrupt and threaten to f utilize his labors, 
and blast his hopes. 

2. It is a life of conscious dependence. How 
proverbially anxious is the farmer about the 
weather? He observes the clouds, he marks the 
shifting of the winds, he notices all the changes 
in the temperature. He knows that unless 
genial nature co-operate with him, his work 
will go for nothing. 

3. It is a life of practical faith. The hus- 
bandman in springtime literally *^ walks by^ 



QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 243 

faith.'' Were lie to follow sight and be ruled 
by appearances he would never cultivate his 
fields. But faith spreads over him the sum- 
mer's ripening sky, and around him waving 
fields of golden grain. And he hopes. Faith 
and hope inspire him with patience under the 
trying labors of spring. 

All this mirrors the present stage of the 
good man's history. It is fitfuL spring with 
us. Our present season is a moral April: it 
is the struggle of sunshine and shower — the 
genial glow and the nipping frost. It is a 
season of fluctuation not settledness, of outlay 
not income, labor not wages, of seeds not of 
results. It is the season for burying the grain, 
not for plucking the golden ear. It is wise 
and well for the husbandman to labor patiently 
in the spring, for he has the assurance from 
testimony and experience that the glorious 
summer will reward him for his toil. 

Brethren labor on and be calm in these April 
days of your existence. From the seed you 
are sowing in tears there shall spring a harvest 
of joy. **Be patient," the summer is coming. 
Soon with the calm blue ether above, and genial 
airs around, we shall have more than the fruit 
and beauty of Eden at our feet. 

Another quieting thought about life sug- 
gested by the text is: 

III. That a moral endurance of trials is 



244 QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 

essential to amiability of character. ^^ Grudge 
not one against another brethren/^ or grumble 
not one against another. The trials of life 
have a tendency to superinduce this miserabh; 
state of mind. Hence in all circles and depart- 
ments we meet with grumblers, ill-humored, 
irritable, discontented souls ; souls who grumble 
at everybody and everything. Not a few of 
such gloomy grumblers are to be found even 
in the churches. With them nothing is right. 
They grumble now at this person now at that, 
now at this arrangement now at that. They 
are always snapping and snarling. 

The grace of patience, the spirit of moral 
endurance, is the only security against this 
unamiable and miserable state of mind. The 
man who has not that patience which results 
from a loving confidence in the character, and 
a loving acquiescence in the will of a Supreme 
Buler will feel an annoyance in every trial. He 
will pass through the trials of life as a silly 
cur passes through a hailstorm, barking at 
every step. But the man who cultivates this 
magnanimous quality of soul will be, in trial, 
like the imperial bird in the storm ; when beaten 
down from its heavenly flight, it still keeps its 
wings expanded, looks calmly up, and with the 
first gleams of sunshine soars away into the 
radiant and the lofty again. 



QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 245 

Another quieting tliouglit about life sug- 
gested by the text is: 

IV. That the greatest trials have been endur- 
ed by the most illustrious men in history. Take, 
my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in 
the name of the Lord, for an example of suffer- 
ing affliction and of patience. ^ ^ The Roman war- 
riors," says an old writer, ^^can talk of their 
Camillii, Fabricii, and Scipios : the philosophers 
of their Aristotle, Plato and Pythagoras; but 
religion propoundeth the example of the pro- 
phets. ' ' The prophets were men of genius and 
of God : great in talent and in virtue, the loyal 
servants and moral organs of heaven — the most 
majestic trees in the forest, the brightest stars 
in the firmament of their race. Yet they suf- 
fered. Some of them were expatriated, others 
were incarcerated, all were persecuted — many 
were martyred. The morally great have always 
been sufferers. 

Another quieting thought about life, sug- 
gested by the text is : 

V. That trials have ever been the condition 
of truly heroic and honored lives. **We count 
them happy which endure." We count them 
happy, not only because affliction tendeth to 
spiritual good, but because they are enabled 
by their sufferings, when rightly endured, to 
display the highest attributes of greatness. 
The finest attributes of character, like the stars 



246 QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 

are only seen at night. In the history of true 
men when the snn of prosperity goes down, 
the brightest orbs of virtue come out to light 
up the moral firmament of the world. It is 
when the aromatic plants are pressed, that they 
fill the air with their sweet odors. After men 
have nobly endured trials, the world canonizes 
them. * * We count them happy which endure. * ' 
The martyrs of one age are the heroes of an- 
other. The Scribes and Pharisees garnished 
the tombs of the prophets whom their fathers 
persecuted. One generation is ever raising 
monuments to celebrate the excellencies of those 
who were considered by their predecessors 
unworthy of life. All history chants their 
beatitude. ^* Blessed are they which are perse- 
cuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. '* 

Another quieting thought suggested by the, 
text is : 

VI. That all trials being under the direction 
of God, will, if rightly endured, yield a glorious 
return. * * The Lord is very pitiful and of tender 
mercy." Our being and circumstances are not 
the creatures and subjects of accident, nor of 
blind necessity, nor of an arbitrary despot, nor 
of a cold-hearted sovereign, but of a tenderly 
merciful God and Father. * * As a Father pitieth 
his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear 
Him.'' The mercifulness of God is introduced 



QUIETING THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE. 247 

in the text as the reason for the glorious return 
of well endured suffering in the case of Job. 
* * Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have 
seen the end of the Lord/' What was that 
end! He had been stripped of property, social 
status, children, health — of all, in fact, but a 
tortured existence : yet he bore his trials nobly, 
— he blessed the Lord in all. And what was 
the return? Materially the Lord gave him 
back twice as much as he had before. But the 
material result was but a symbol and shadow 
of the spiritual. It multiplied and strengthened 
the spiritual power of his life. 

To the afflicted and tried we say, ^*Let these 
quieting thoughts calm your mind : 

1. Termination to be put to them. 

2. To be expected in this life. 

3. Endurance essential to amiability of char- 
acter. 

4. The most illustrious men have been tried. 

5. Trials have been the condition of honored 
lives. 

6. All trials under the direction of a merciful 
God.'' 



Olomtttg to di^mt 

''All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that 
Cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." — John 6: 37. 

UNBOUNDED confidence in the paternal 
government of God is the perfection of 
piety and the condition of a happy ex- 
istence. Everywhere in the Bible the Father 
•seeks to awaken in man the most loving and 
unshaken trust in Himself and the mode of His 
procedure. The strength of the old saints was 
in this. Their heroic lives as celebrated in the 
eleventh chapter of Hebrews are ascribed to 
their loyal faith in God. Those illustrious 
worthies felt with Job, who said, ** Though He 
slay me, yet will I trust Him. ' ' No being ever 
possessed or exhibited this truthfulness as did 
Christ. In Him it had its most perfect develop- 
ment and force. It buoyed Him up amid the 
surges of anguish that rolled over His holy 
soul. It never deserted Him. In Gethsemane 
it was as strong as ever, when He said, *^Not 
My will but Thine be done." It comes out in 
our text. He had been speaking to the multi- 
tude, who had followed Him for the sake of 
the loaves. He had been exhorting them to 

248 



COMING TO CHEIST. 249 

^^ labor for the meat that endureth unto ever- 
lasting life. '^ He had represented Himself as 
^'the bread of God which cometh down from 
heaven, and giveth life unto the world.'' But 
notwithstanding all His teaching they believed 
not. Such heartless infidelity amongst those 
whom He had labored so self-denyingly to en- 
lighten and convince, had a tendency to sadden 
His spirit, and oppress His heart as a man. 
Still His trust in God bears Him up. He looks 
to heaven and says, ^ ^ All that the Father giveth 
Me shall come to Me.'' Some have laid hold 
on this text and assigned to it a narrow mean- 
ing. But its divine spirit overflows any such 
logical boundaries. It was uttered in a sublime 
spirit of trustful devotion and unbounded phil- 
anthropy. 

We shall look upon the words in three re- 
spects : 

I. As expressing the grand condition of the 
sinner's well being. What is it? Coming unto 
Christ. Such language is of frequent occur- 
rence in the New Testament. * ^ Come unto Me 
all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I 
will give you rest. " * * If any man thirst let him 
come to Me." What does coming to Christ 
mean? 

1. It means approaching Him as your Media- 
tor with God. Everywhere does the New Testa- 
ment reveal to us the fact that Christ is the 



250 COMING TO CHRIST. 

way to God the Father — that He is our High 
Priest. **Iii all things it behooved Him to be 
made like unto His brethren, that He might 
be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things 
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for 
the sins of the people/^ He is called of God, 
*^a priest forever after the order of Melchize- 
dec.'' What is the work of a priest? To 
appear by God's own appointment before the 
Father on behalf of sinners ; — to stand as their 
representative in the most sacred and momen- 
tous of all positions. This Christ does. ^'He 
hath passed into the heavens, where He ever 
liveth to make intercession for us.'' So that 
through Him we can approach God. What is 
the work of a priest? To present sacrifices. 
Christ has offered Himself a sacrifice to God 
for us, once forever. ^^He needeth not daily 
... to offer up sacrifice . . . for this He did 
once when He offered up Himself." *^A11 we 
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned 
every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid 
on Him the iniquity of us all. ' ' Such language 
proves that men must trust in Christ and accept 
His work as performed for them in order to be 
accepted of God. Christ represents Himself 
as occupying this position; for He has said, 
* * No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. ' ' 
Thus He assumes a position original and 
unique. He seems to stand between heaven 



COMING TO CHKIST. 251 

and earth, and looking with loving interest and 
tenderness upon all the millions that ever have 
been or ever will be, He says, ^*No man can 
go up to these bright heavens but by Me. I 
have the key of these golden gates. No sinner 
can approach the Almighty but through the 
heavenly appointed Priest. He is the way. 
Coming to Him, then, means looking to Him to 
undertake your case, to answer to God for you, 
to pardon your sins, and to present you with 
acceptance before God. 

2. Coming to Christ is approaching Him as 
your guide to moral goodness. We come to 
men intellectually when our general ideas ap- 
proximate theirs. Modern men come to the 
great thinkers of past ages in this way. In 
the teachings of Jesus Christ we can thus come 
to Him. In their spotless purity, in their un- 
erring truthfulness, in their immortal freshness, 
in their unbounded sweep, in their soul quicken- 
ing and soul uplifting force, His teachings 
stand alone. We learn of Him and thus come 
to Him. We come to men emotionally when our 
ruling sympathies approximate theirs. We 
are one with those who love the same objects 
and sympathize with the same pursuits. Con- 
gruity of feeling welds hearts together. By 
loving the objects that Christ loves and sympa- 
thizing with the pursuits of His life we come 
to Him. We come to men morally when the 



252 COMING TO CHKIST. 

tone and temper of onr lives is like theirs. In 
morals like draws like. We are drawn to those 
who are like ourselves in temper and in aim. 
We must learn of Him who was **meek and 
lowly in heart.'' He is our model. ^^He has 
left us an example that we should follow His 
steps. ' ' We must imitate Him not by servilely 
copying particular acts, but by inbreathing the 
spirit of His life. In these respects you must 
come to Christ. This is the condition of your 
well being. There is no happiness for the 
sinner where Christ is not approached as the 
great High Priest to atone for his sins, and 
as the Guide to lead him in holiness. 

II. We regard these words as showing the 
amazing mercy of Christ towards sinners. 
•*'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast 
out." The idea is; — he that applieth to Me 
for spiritual life and blessedness, whoever he 
may be, I will on no account reject. 

There are at least two general accounts on 
which the best of us so sometimes reject the 
requests of an applicant. 

1. On account of something in ourselves. 

(1) There may be a deficiency in our benevo- 
lence. A person may apply to us for a favor 
and we may have the power to render it but 
lack the disposition. Our benevolence may be 
at fault. It is a sad fact that through the in- 
gratitude, the dishonesties, the hollow preten- 



COMING TO CHRIST. 253 

tions, of tlie world, the fountain of kindness 
even in the most benevolent natures gets well 
nigh dried up at times. Many a generous heart 
has grown misanthropic through intercourse 
with a hollow and heartless world. When our 
benevolence is at a low ebb, we may turn away 
from the request of even a deserving applicant. 
But will Christ ever cast out one on this 
ground? Does He lack benevolence? He has 
given the world the highest conceivable demon- 
stration of His love: He has given Himself 
to a death the most excruciating and ingnom- 
inious. The length and breadth and height and 
depth of His love passeth knowledge. It is an 
ocean that no line can fathom, no shore can 
bound. It is infinite, and you cannot exhaust 
the infinite. Could the wickedness of men 
have exhausted it there would have been none 
after His crucifix:ion. But lo! soon after His 
resurrection, just before His ascension into 
heaven. He commanded His apostles to go and 
preach forgiving mercy even to His murderers 
at Jerusalem. Christ therefore can in no wise 
cast out a man on account of any lack of benevo- 
lence in His loving heart. 

Sometimes when our benevolence is not at 
fault, we may refuse a request because (2) of a 
deficiency in our resources. We may not be 
able to entertain the request. Many a generous 
man is obliged to say No ! when his heart feels 



254 COMING TO CHRIST. 

Yes ! This is a great trial for a truly benevo- 
lent nature. Still it is better, a thousand times 
better, to have the disposition to give and not 
the means, than to have the means and not the 
disposition. He who has the one is a pauper in 
the universe; he who has the other a prince. 
But though our resources fail us, however be- 
nevolent we might be, Christ will in no wise 
east out a man on this account. His resources 
are inexhaustible. Paul speaks of them as the 
,'* unsearchable riches." Whereunto shall we 
liken the redemptive resources of Christ? To 
a feast? If so, then not a feast implying lim- 
itation for so many and no more. It is like the 
banquet which Jesus spread out upon the moun- 
tain of Capernaum, of which all the thousands 
did eat and were filled, and stores of fragments 
were still left unused. We scarcely know to 
what to compare the unsearchable riches of 
Christ. We think of a master piece of music, 
every note suited to touch some of the deepest 
chords in human nature. It has awakened 
raptures in the men of past generations, 
and seems as potent in its stirring impulses 
now as ever. Still it may be exhaustible. The 
time may come when our Handels, Haydns and 
Beethovens will be outgrown and left behind 
as relics of the past — for all that is human has 
its limitations. We think of the great sun 
who has been giving out his beams for thou- 



COMING TO CHRIST. 255 

sands of years, in quickening and gladdening 
the unnumbered tribes of life that teem in air 
and earth and sea; in annually robing our 
world in forms of beauty ever fresh and affluent, 
and causing the earth * * to bring forth and bud, 
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread 
to the eater ;'* and as we think of this royal 
orb we are impressed with the vastness of His 
resources. But though vast, they are not in- 
exhaustible, they are finite. Its beams may 
grow dim, its fires die out. There is nothing 
we can think of to which we can compare the 
resources of Christ. There is nothing in fact 
in creation, for creation itself is limited. Christ 
the Sun of righteousness, though He pour His 
soul-saving beams on millions of generations, 
will light up the heavens of God with blessed- 
ness through unnumbered ages, and must re- 
main as bright and warm as ever. Christ then 
on the ground of the lack of resources will *4n 
no wise cast ouf 

The other general reason on which the best 
of men do sometimes reject applications is: 

2. On account of something in connection 
with the applicant. Either of the three follow- 
ing circumstances connected with an applicant 
would wondrously tempt us to deny his request. 
(1) If his character is unusually vile. Should 
a man, deeply sunk in the mire of intemperance 
and licentiousness, or characterized by system- 



256 COMING TO CHRIST. 

atic dishonesty and daring blasphemy, make 
application to us for a favor, we should scarcely 
tolerate his presence, still less entertain his 
request. If we spoke to him it would be in 
the language of severe reproof, if not indignant 
denunciation. But Christ will in no wise cast 
out. Take two cases out of many. Jesus is at 
a feast in Simon 's house. While there a woman, 
notorious as a sinner in the city, entered the 
room where He was, stood at His feet weeping, 
began to wash His feet with her tears, and 
•to wipe them with her hair. In the sight of 
those who reclined at table this woman was 
odious for her depravity. But there she kneels 
before Christ; she has intruded into His pres- 
ence. What does He say to her? Does He 
cast her from Him? No. He turns to her and 
says, *'Thy sins are forgiven, go in peace." 
Take another case, — on one side of Him on the 
cross hangs a malefactor in the agonies of 
death. Society had cast him off as a wretch 
unfit to live. Even corrupt humanity could no 
longer tolerate his presence, or allow him a 
place among the living. He himself allows that 
his doom is just. But in this, his last hour, 
he turns imploringly to Christ, saying, ^^Lord, 
remember me when Thou comest into Thy king- 
dom.'' What answer does he receive? Does 
Christ say. My sufferings are too great to 
attend to thee ; every nerve of My frame is on 



COMING TO CHRIST. 257 

the rack, and a mountain of anguisli is on My 
soul ; I can think of nothing but My own condi- 
tion? Oh! no. Does He say, Wretch why ap- 
peal to Me in this last moment of thy life? 
Thou hast spent the days, which mercy has 
given thee to cultivate thy spirit and to find 
acceptance with thy Maker, in depravity and 
crime. Away with thee to thine own place. 
No! With unutterable tenderness and love he 
savs, ^^To-dav shalt thou be with Me in Para- 
dise. '* He will in no wise cast out. 

Let not the sins of any, however aggravated, 
however enormous, keep him away from Christ. 
Let the sinner tell his sad tale. My character, 
he says, is too dark for description. My iniqui- 
ties as a thick cloud roll over my soul. I was 
the child of godly parents. I had religious 
teachers in my early life. I listened to a faith- 
ful and impressive ministry, received deep 
impressions and made solemn resolutions, but 
they are all gone. I am an old man tottering 
on the verge of the grave. Fifty years at least 
I have spent in a career of wickedness and 
impiety. The thought of the injury I have done 
to my race by my sinful conduct and influence 
appalls me. I have sat in the seat of the 
scorner. I have endeavored to shake men^s 
faith in God. I have denounced Christ as an 
impostor and His disciples as hypocrites. I 
have made many laugh at sacred things. I 



258 COMING TO CHBIST. 

have turned many an innocent youtli into tlie 
paths of scepticism and profligacy. The mem- 
ory of my enormities appalls me. Here I stand 
worn out in the service of sin. I feel tottering 
as on the edge of a tremendous precipice. 
Above me there is a tempest about to break 
in fury upon my aged head : beneath me there 
is a yawning retribution. Talk not to me of 
mercy. Mercy has exhausted herself on me. 
She has made her last overture to me. She 
has unfolded her wings and gone forever. '^ 
Oh ! brother, terrible is thy tale ; it is a wonder 
that thou art not in hell. Still I would not 
leave thee, even thee in despair. **The mercy 
of the Lord reacheth even unto the clouds." 
Avail thyslf of the departing hours of thy life, 
and come to Christ, and thou wilt find that 
* * He will in no wise cast thee out. ' ' 

Again we reject a man's request (2) if he has 
sought to injure us. Were a man to apply to 
us for a favor, who we knew had been acting 
the part of an enemy towards us for years, 
endeavoring to stain our reputation, thwart our 
plans, and injure our interests, should we not 
be likely to deny his request? Perhaps we 
would say to him, We wonder how you can 
have the audacity, knowing as you do the 
villainous manner in which you have acted 
towards us, to ask for a single favor. But 
Christ will not repel on this account Look at 



COMING TO CHRIST. 259 

Saul of Tarsus. He was a persecutor of Jesus 
of Nazareth, and he laid himself out with great 
determination to blot His memory from the 
minds of men and to annihilate His influence. 
Like a furious beast breathing out slaughter, 
he hastened to Damascus, having *^ received 
authority and commission from the chief 
priests ^^ to persecute the men who dared to 
profess their attachment to Christ. *^I verily 
thought with myself, *' said he, *Hhat I ought 
to do many things contrary to the name of 
Jesus of Nazareth.^' And he did so. To use 
his own language, ^^I punished them oft in 
every synagogue, and compelled them to blas- 
pheme; and being exceedingly mad against 
them, I persecuted them even unto strange 
cities.'' He was indeed a hater of Christ, and 
he proved his hatred. Yet one day, struck with 
the heavenly light of moral conviction, he was 
prostrated before Jesus of Nazareth, and said, 
**Lord what wilt Thou have me to do?'' And 
how was he received? Did He whom he had 
hated and opposed, whose disciples he had 
persecuted, drive him from His presence? No. 
To the poor prostrate soul. He said, ^^ Stand 
upon thy feet, for I have appeared unto thee 
for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a 
witness, both of these things which thou hast 
seen, and of those things in which I will appear 
unto thee. ' ' Paul having met with this wonder- 



260 COMING TO CHBIST. 

ful reception, leaves this testimony to after 
ages: **TMs is a faithful saying and worthy 
of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into 
the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ^ ' 

Still again we reject a man's request (3) if, 
after once having granted his application, he 
has persisted in doing us wrong. Suppose a 
man to whom you had done a great favor in 
answer to his application, and who afterwards 
displayed shameless ingratitude, were again 
to apply to you, would you not be tempted to 
drive him from your presence, whatever might 
be his expressions of sorrow, and promises for 
future improvement? But Christ will not cast 
you out on this account. There is Peter to 
whom He had shown many special favors, whose 
applications He had often graciously granted: 
— this Peter denies Him: — denies Him in the 
hour when friendship is most needed — denies 
Him with impious oaths, — thrice denies Him. 
Yet did not Christ cast a gracious look on him, 
that stirred his heart, and melted him to tears ? 
Far enough am I from encouraging backsliding. 
It is a dreadful sin. A step backwards is of 
all movements the most daring and hazardous ; 
but having done so, do not be afraid to make 
another application to Christ. He **will in no 
wise cast you out." 

What is your position in the spiritual 
domain? "Where do you stand in relation to 



COMING TO CHKIST. 261 

Christ? Have you come to Him? Is He your 
Priest through whom you have been reconciled 
to God, and enjoy every blessed enjoyment with 
Him? Is He your Pattern and Guide, leading 
you to an acquaintance with His doctrines, a 
fellow feeling with His sympathies, an assimila- 
tion to His character? If so, gratefully adore 
the Everlasting God for thus giving you Christ ; 
and giving you to Christ. By His Holy Spirit 
He made you feel your need of a Saviour and 
influenced you to apply to Him. 

Where are you in relation to Christ? Have 
you not yet come to Him, but merely inclined 
to do so, and are about making the effort? 
Cherish, I entreat you, the impulse which in- 
clines you Christward, yield to every feeling 
flowing in that direction, for such feeling is 
the gift of the Father. 

Still again, where are you in relation to 
Christ? This of all questions is the most vital 
and momentous, and it must be reiterated, 
reimpressed, re-enforced. Are you far away 
from Christ and are you making no effort to 
approach Him? Then your condition is a 
terribly sad one. Awake, I entreat you, to an 
appreciation of it. Do you feel any sense of 
sin, any moral misgivings, any reproaches of 
conscience, any craving after reconciliation with 
God? If so, the Spirit is still working upon 
your heart, seeking to give you to Christ. Take 



262 COMING TO CHEIST. 

heed that you resist not the Spirit. Follow 
His leadings, and the directions which He gives 
in His word, and He will bring you to One who 
will not cast you out. 



** Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that 
hath DO money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and 
milk without money and without price. "Wherefore do ye spend money 
for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth 
not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and 
let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear and come unto 
me: hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting 
covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." — Isaiah 55: 1-3. 

THE name of the author of this book signi- 
fies * * the salvation of the Lord, ' ' a name 
which was peculiarly appropriate and 
expressive. It is evident that the salvation of 
the Lord was possessed and enjoyed by this 
prophet; he was one of those, not merely by 
outward privileges, but by a spiritual incor- 
poration, of whom Moses spoke in his dying 
charge, ^ ' Happy art thou, Israel ; who is like 
unto thee, people saved by the Lord!^' The 
prophetic gift was, in itself, no evidence of the 
personal piety of those by whom it was exer- 
cised ; for we are assured that in the great day 
many will say, ^'Have we not prophesied in 
Thy name?'' to whom the righteous Judge 
will declare that He never knew them. Isaiah, 
however, was not a prophet of the Balaam class, 
but a true servant of God. 

263 



264 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 

He could, also, with special propriety, be 
called the salvation of the Lord, not merely 
on account of his being a personal partaker 
thereof, but because he was honored in making 
it known to others. **How beautiful upon 
the mountains,'' to use his own incomparable 
words, * * are the feet of Him that bringeth good 
tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth 
good tidings of good; that publisheth salva- 
tion!" With that beauty he was himself 
peculiarly adorned, being one of the most emi- 
nent of those messengers of mercy who were 
commissioned by the God of heaven to announce 
His gracious purposes to guilty men. 

The clearness and fulness with which Isaiah 
proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation, seem 
scarcely to accord with the comparatively ob- 
scure dispensation under which he lived. That 
his ministry was distinguished by these quali- 
ties is abundantly evident from many portions 
of his writings, but by none more prominently 
than by the words before us. Indeed, the whole 
chapter would be scarcely out of place among 
the richest disclosures of the New Testament. 
Confining our attention at present to its intro- 
ductory section, we remark that we have here : 

I. A gracious invitation, ' * Ho, every one that 
thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that 
hath no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea,, 
come, buy wine and milk without money and. 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 265 

without price. '^ Concerning this invitation 
three particulars demand our notice. 

1. The persons to ivhom it is addressed. It 
is to ** every one that thirsteth.'' There are 
various kinds of thirsting, or, rather there are 
various objects for which men thirst. There 
are those who hunger and thirst after right- 
eousness, and all such the Redeemer pronounces 
to be blessed. There are many who hunger and 
thirst after wickedness, and they are as assured- 
ly cursed as the former characters are blessed. 
It is evident, however, that the thirst referred 
to here, is that natural thirst for happiness 
which is common to the whole human family. 
It is an invitation to the unhappy from 
whatever cause their wretchedness may arise. 
Whether it proceed from earthly losses, bodily 
affliction, domestic bereavement, disappointed 
pride, remorse of conscience, the dominion of 
unruly passions — the simple fact that they are 
oppressed with any of the diversified distresses 
which are the heritage of fallen humanity, 
brings them within the range of this tender 
and loving appeal. 

2. The blessings of which they are invited to 
partake. They are the blessings of the Gospel ; 
those spiritual blessings which are treasured 
up in Christ Jesus our Lord. Their nature and 
importance are set forth by a threefold simili- 
tude (1) Water. The frequency with which this 



266 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION". 

element is used to represent the blessings of 
the Gospel, is known to all who are familiar 
with the holy oracles. By many important 
features it is distinguished, but its property 
of quenching the thirst is here chiefly intended. 
**Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the 
waters,'' not that ye may wash and be clean, 
though provision is made for the removal of 
your pollution ; but come that your raging thirst 
may be allayed from those streams which never 
dry. Hence the striking language of the Sav- 
'iour — ^^If any man thirst, let him come unto 
Me and drink. ' ' And in the concluding chapter 
of the sacred canon it is said: **The Spirit 
and the bride say. Come; let him that heareth 
say come; and let him that is athirst, come; 
and whosoever will, let him take the water of 
life freely.'' 

(2) Wine. While water quenches the thirst, 
wine cheers and exhilarates the spirits. With 
oil, which makes the face to shine, the Psalmist 
connects wine, that maketh glad the heart of 
man. However objectionable and injurious in 
many respects the habitual use of it may be, 
none can deny that it possesses this quality. 
But the Gospel, unaccompanied by any evil 
effects, makes the heart glad indeed. 

(3) Milk. Nourishment is the idea which is 
here conveyed. Not merely do the blessings 
of salvation fill the soul with gladness, but they 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 267 

nourish and support it. Eeviving cordials 
though necessary under certain circumstances, 
will not of themselves sustain life; for that 
purpose something more nutritious is required. 
If we would have our souls to prosper and be 
in health, we must desire the sincere, unadulter- 
ated milk of the Word, for it is thus only that 
we can grow in grace. 

3. The terms on which these blessings are 
offered. ^ ^ Come ye, buy and eat ; yea, come buy 
wine and milk without money and without 
price. ' ' At first sight there appears something 
strange and contradictory in this announce- 
ment; for how can a thing be bought without 
money, or at least without that which will be 
taken as an equivalent or substitute for money? 
It is evident, however, that the words simply 
denote the mode by which any commodity is 
procured, whether it be by labor, by barter or 
by purchase. A thing may be lawfully obtained 
in either of these ways ; but if it was bestowed 
upon us as a free gift, it would on that account 
be no less our own. Yet it would seem that the 
special and somewhat peculiar phraseology 
which is here employed was intentional, and its 
design will appear from the following consid- 
erations : These words were intended, 

(1) To encourage those who are spiritually 
poor and penniless. How many are deprived 
of various things which they are most anxious 



268 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 

to obtain, through their not possessing the 
means to secure them. But what are all the 
blessings of this life, health, competence, knowl- 
edge, an honorable position in society, when 
compared with the glorious treasures which the 
Gospel unfolds? But in reference to the latter 
none need be discouraged on the ground that 
they are placed out of their reach, inasm.uch as 
they are free to all. They are to be had by 
simply applying for them ; and not a single soul 
ever applied in earnest who was sent unblessed 
' away. 

(2) To impart confidence to those who may 
feel a degree of timidity and hesitation in ap- 
plying for what can be gratuitously obtained. 
As a general rule persons feel far greater 
confidence when they go to purchase what they 
require, than when they go to solicit a free 
favor. There is, therefore, the most compas- 
sionate kindness shown in the style adopted for 
setting forth the terms on which the blessings 
of grace are to be secured. The design appears 
to be to assure us that we may come and receive 
those blessings as unhesitatingly as if we had 
wherewithal to purchase them ; and that having 
accepted them, we may appropriate and enjoy 
them as thoroughly as if we had paid a full 
price for them. 

(3) To intimate that the blessings of salva- 
tion are inexpressibly valuable and important. 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 269 

Were they procurable by purchase on our part, 
that would show at once that their worth was 
only moderate, since anything we could offer 
for them must be limited, even were our re- 
sources such as are generally regarded as most 
ample. Hence the apostle Peter says, **Ye 
know that ye were not redeemed with corrupt- 
ible things, such as silver and gold; but with 
the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb 
without blemish and without spot." Our re- 
demption is thus a purchased possession, and 
the price which was paid by our adorable 
Surety, even His most precious blood declares 
its inestimable value. But while it cost Him 
so much, it is offered to us without money and 
without price. Both circumstances therefore 
unite in confirming the same truth. Is redemp- 
tion with all the innumerable blessings it offers 
altogether priceless? The sacrificial death of 
Christ on the cross answers that question on 
the one hand; and the fact that we are unable 
to purchase it and that it can only be received, 
as heaven 's free gift, answers it on the other. 

(4) To rehuJce the pride and presumption of 
those who imagine that they have something of 
their own to recommend them to the Divine 
favor. With what a burst of holy indignation 
did Peter rebuke that wretched man, Simon the 
sorcerer: **Thy money perish with thee, be- 
cause thou hast thought that the gift of God 



270 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 

may be purchased with money!'* Alas! how 
many are there who still indulge in the vain 
imagination, that the gifts of God's grace can 
be purchased either in whole or in parf, if not 
by their money, yet by their supposed merits. 
Acting on the principles of earthly commerce,, 
they would fain render something to God as a 
kind of compensation for what they expect to 
receive from Him in return. The uprightness 
of their general conduct, their religious observ-^ 
ances, the charities in which they have abound- 
ed, their good intentions and resolutions, their 
penitential frames and feelings, their penances 
and their prayers — with which things they hope 
to receive the remission of their sins, the accept- 
ance of their persons, and the salvation of their 
souls. But to all persons we must say, if you 
wish to trade with the Most High successfully^ 
you must trade with Him on His own terms ^ 
and what those terms are, the words before us^ 
show in a manner the most unambiguous and 
decisive. 

II. An earnest remonstrance. '* Wherefore 
do ye spend money for that which is not bread? 
and your labor for that which satisfieth not? 
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that 
which is good, and let your soul delight itself 
in fatness. ' ' We have here, 

1. A foolish course to he avoided. What 
egregious folly must it be to seek happiness in 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 271 

those objects, the pursuit of which is sure to 
end in disappointment. However eagerly and 
however successfully the things of time may 
be sought, they never have yielded and they 
never will yield, substantial satisfaction. That 
the world in its best state is unsatisfying is the 
doctrine of the Bible, and all experience loudly 
proclaims, and most emphatically confirms it. 
In the striking language of the prophet in a 
preceding chapter: *^It shall even be as when 
a hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth j 
but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as 
when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he 
drinketh; but he awaketh. and behold he is 
faint, and his soul hath appetite. '' 

2. A wise method to he pursued. ** Hearken 
diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good^ 
and let your soul delight itself in fatness.'' 
While the history of 6000 years has given un- 
answerable evidence to the insufficiency of every 
terrestrial object to afford true enjoyment; 
while it shows that there are wants which no 
earthly riches can supply, diseases which no 
human skill can cure, fears which no mortal 
courage can quell, penalties which no finite re- 
sources can discharge, and miseries which no 
earth born sagacity can control; how cheering 
is it then to hear the voice of mercy inviting 
us to turn from all lying vanities, and to 
partake of those blessings which are distin- 



272 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 

guished by every feature that is necessary for 
yielding what our utmost exigencies require. 
There is, 

(1) Their suitability. Nothing can satisfy 
that does not possess this quality. A person on 
the point of perishing for want of food on some 
desolate island, discovers a mine of gold: of 
what use is it to him? What he requires is 
something to appease his hunger, and the sight 
of any stunted tree, if it contained anything 
in the shape of fruit upon its half withered 
branches, would be unspeakably more gladden- 
ing than heaps of shining ore. But to any one 
in pecuniary embarrassment, how acceptable 
would be a few of those nuggets which the other 
so lightly esteems! Now the blessings of the 
Gospel satisfy, because they meet the sinner's 
actual condition, so that he can say of them — 
this is what I need! Here is pardon for my 
innumerable offenses, a fountain to cleanse me 
from my guilty stains, peace for my troubled 
conscience, grace to help in every time of need. 
These are the very things I require. 

(2) Their continuance. Supposing that in 
their worldly pursuits, some of the more fav- 
ored of the children of men met with successes 
so numerous, and encountered disappointments 
so few, every event having turned out according 
to their most sanguine expectations — granting 
this to be the case, and that as regards enjoy- 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 273 

merit, every succeeding day liad been as tlie 
former, and even much more abundant; yet 
the consideration that this prosperity, at the 
longest, could be only of brief duration, would 
hang like a dark cloud over the whole scene. 
Ah! that it would continue! might the suc- 
cessful votary of the world exclaim, but it 
cannot be. If, exempted from those unexpected 
vicissitudes to which the most prosperous are 
exposed, his possessions are not taken from 
him, he will very soon be taken from his posses- 
sions. And then when separated from them all, 
and his soul about to be cast adrift upon the 
shoreless wastes of eternity, he cannot fail to 
feel if he never felt before, how unsatisfying a 
portion is that which appertains only to our 
present fleeting existence. 

But what we are here invited to partake of 
is the good part which will never be taken away 
from us. *^He that drinketh of this water," 
said the Saviour, * * shall thirst again ; but who- 
soever shall drink of the water that I shall 
give him shall never thirst.'' 

III. A wonderful assurance. Incline your 
ear, and come unto Me; hear, and your soul 
shall live; and I will make an everlasting 
covenant with you, even the sure mercies of 
David." For God to enter into covenant with 
such creatures as we are 

1. Displays amazing condescension. This 



274 THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 

will appear when we bear in mind the Greatness 
of God, It is looked upon as something re- 
markable for persons of exalted rank to have 
familiar intercourse with their inferiors; but 
what is the distance between the mightiest 
prince and the meanest peasant, when compared 
with that which exists between God and us I 
He is the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth 
eternity; and for him to enter into covenant 
with poor worms of the dust, what tongue can 
express, what mind can conceive the marvellous 
condescension. 

2. What this covenant embraces is unspeak- 
ably glorious, '*I sware unto thee and entered 
into a covenant with thee and thou becamest 
Mine.'' All who lay hold upon His covenant 
can adopt these blessed words: ^^The Lord is 
my portion, saith my soul, and therefore will I 
hope in Him." This strikingly confirms what 
was said before ; for if God is ours and we are 
His, our largest desires must be satisfied. In- 
deed, our immortal spirits have never enougk 
until they have more than enough. They have 
not enough till they have God, and they have 
more than enough when they have Him. The 
cup will then be, not merely full, but overflowing. 

3. The utmost confidence may be placed in the 
stability of this covenant. Not only is it an 
everlasting covenant, but its mercies are sure 
mercies, **even the sure mercies of David."" 



THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION. 275 

Who is meant by David here the next verse 
clearly shows; it is none other than David ^s 
Son and David's Lord — the great Captain of 
our salvation, who was given for a witness to 
the people, a leader and commander to the 
people. All the promises of the covenant are 
in Him, yea and in Him, Amen, unto the glory 
of God by us. 

It is important, however, for us to remember, 
that it is not with souls dead in trespasses and 
sins that this covenant engagement is formed. 
We must be made spiritually alive before God 
will become our God, and before He will ac- 
knowledge us as His sons and daughters. In 
more than one sense He *4s not a God of the 
dead but of the living." It is therefore de- 
clared, ^^ Incline your ear and come unto Me; 
hear, and your soul shall live." The words 
addressed to us in the Gospel, whether invita- 
tions or appeals, or gracious promises, are 
spirit and life; and such they will be found in 
the case of those who give proper heed to them. 
To do whatever is there said we are to hearken 
diligently, we are to hearken prayerfully, and 
above all, we are to hearken believingly. In 
the passage before us we are commanded to 
hear that our souls may live: faith cometh by 
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Our 
hearing is to no purpose unless we are quick- 
ened to newness of life thereby. 



Sl|0 SpHttrr^rttott of tij? 3(ttat 

" And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was 
given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the 
witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not wor- 
shipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark 
upon their foreheads, or in their hands: and they lived and reigned 
with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not 
again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resur- 
rection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- 
tion."— Rev. 20: 4, 5. 

THAT the dead will rise again from their 
graves is the belief of all Christians. 
Even in the Old Testament this doctrine 
is set forth. The patriarch Job uses the fol- 
lowing remarkable language, * * Though after my 
skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh 
shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, 
and mine eyes shall behold and not another.'^ 
The Psalmist speaks as follows, **God will re- 
deem my soul from the power of the grave : for 
He shall receive me/' Isaiah declares, **Thy 
dead men shall live, together with my dead 
body shall they arise/' Daniel says, **And 
many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth 
shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some 
to shame and everlasting contempt." And the 
Epistle to the Hebrews tells us that Abraham 

276 



THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 277 

accounted that *'God was able to raise him 
(Isaac) up even from the dead:'^ and that other 
saints of Old Testament times *^were tortured, 
not accepting deliverance; that they might 
obtain a better resurrection." 

In the New Testament this doctrine is clearly 
revealed in unmistakable terms. The Saviour 
Himself has made it known. To the Sadducees 
who did not believe in resurrection, when they 
came to Him asking questions in regard to it 
He replied, *^As touching the resurrection of 
the dead, have ye not read that which was 
spoken unto you 'by God, saying, **I am the God 
of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God 
of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but 
of the living." And on another occasion He 
spoke as follows, ^^The hour is coming in 
which all that are in the graves shall hear His 
voice, and shall come forth; they that have 
done good unto the resurrection of life; and 
they have done evil unto the resurrection of 
damnation." The apostles also taught in the 
same manner what they had received from their 
divine Master. We are told that the priests 
and Sadducees were grieved at Peter and John 
because they *^ preached through Jesus the 
resurrection from the dead." The Athenians 
thought that Paul was a ** setter forth of 
strange gods; because he preached unto them 
Jesus, and the resurrection. ' ' And in the Sixth 



278 THE RESURKECTION OF THE JUST. 

Chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews this 
same doctrine of the ^^resurrection of the dead'' 
is mentioned as being one of the ^^ principles of 
the doctrine of Christ. ' ' 

Nor is this doctrine simply a matter of faith ; 
it is not a thing merely to be believed because 
it is taught, but we have positive evidence that 
there is such a thing as the resurrection of the 
dead. Jesus Himself dies and is laid in the 
dark tomb. But after three days, He rises from 
the dead, and walks forth again, showing Him- 
self to hundreds of His followers. And after 
His resurrection the evangelist tells us that the 
** graves were opened, and many bodies of the 
saints which slept arose, and came out of the 
graves, and went into the holy city, and ap- 
peared unto many." ^^They whose dust had 
mingled with the elements took form and life 
again. And men gazed on these inhabitants of 
the tomb — these citizens of distant ages — walk- 
ing forth as living tokens of the resurrection. ' ' 

There is then to be a resurrection of the body 
which is deposited in the grave. The particles 
which have mouldered in the dust shall be re- 
joined and resuscitated and made to move with 
vitality. ^^The redemption wrought out by 
Jesus Christ takes in the whole man. Body and 
soul alike are to share it. It is a perfected 
redemption, a redemption of the entire being of 
those who have part in it. No part of their 



THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 279 

nature is to be sliut out from it. Who, without 
the deepest pain could contemplate the thought 
that the body, the companion of the spirit 
through all life 's pilgrimage, should be severed 
from it at death ; to be reunited no more ! The 
body thus fearfully and wonderfully made, is 
not destined to destruction. It is a wondrous 
display of God^s wisdom and power, and skill. 
Sin has invaded it ; and marred its fair propor- 
tions; and blunted its powers; and spread 
through all its mechanism, the witnesses of its 
fall. Sickness attacks it. Death seizes upon it. 
But shall it be left in the dark tomb! No. If 
like the leprous house it must be taken down: 
it is only that it may be reared again ; in glory 
surpassing its first estate. It lies in the grave. 
But it is not to be left there forever. The 
eye of the All Seeing One watches over it : The 
power of the Almighty is around it. It shall 
rise again. At the appointed time, it shall 
awake from its slumbers, and come forth in 
the loveliness of a new creation.*' 

All then upon whom death passes, will be 
raised from the dead. All are raised again ; but 
all are not raised at the same time. There is 
a resurrection of the just, and a resurrection 
of the wicked. The resurrection of the just 
takes place when Christ first returns to our earth 
and the resurrection of the wicked one thousand 
years thereafter. The bodies of the righteous 



280 THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 

dead are raised, and the bodies of the wicked 
dead sleep on in their graves until the thousand 
years are over. This the words of our text 
sufficiently prove. ''I saw the souls of them 
that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, 
and for the word of Glod, which had not wor- 
shipped the beast neither image, neither had 
received his mark upon their foreheads, or in 
their hands; and they lived and reigned with 
Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the 
dead lived not until the thousand years were 
finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed 
and holy is he that hath part in the first resur- 
rection." It is here distinctly asserted that 
there is a first resurrection, and that those who 
have part in it are ^^ blessed and holy." And 
it just as distinctly affirms that the ^^rest of 
the dead," that is, those who are not raised 
at the first resurrection, live not until a thous- 
and years have passed away. There is then 
a resurrection at the advent of Christ in which 
the martyrs and saints, they that sleep in Jesus, 
and they who have not worshipped the beast, 
neither his image, neither had received his 
mark, the blessed and holy have part. And 
there is a resurrection one thousand vears after 
that event which embraces the rest of the dead. 
There are some to whom this may be a new 
view. The general opinion seems to be that 
all the dead rise at once. But the doctrine of a 



THE EESURKECTION OF THE JUST. 281 

twofold resurrection was not new to the ancient 
Christian church; nor to the Jewish teachers. 
Calmet says, *^The ancient fathers acknowl- 
edged a twofold resurrection: first that which 
is to precede the Messiah's reign of a thousand 
years upon earth; secondly that which is to 
follow the reign of a thousand years. This 
sentiment/' he goes on to say, *4s found clearly 
enough in the second book of Esdras, in the 
testament of the twelve patriarchs, and in sev- 
eral of the Rabbins." Bickersteth says, that 
* * the Jewish writers generally mention together 
the coming of the Messiah, and the resurrection 
of the dead, and frequently consider them as 
branches of the same proposition." Professor 
Stuart remarks, that ^'the doctrine of a first 
resurrection as taught by John was not novel," 
and that ^^the great mass of the Jewish Rab- 
bins believed and taught the doctrine of the 
resurrection of the just in the days of Messiah's 
development." Dr. Duffield says **The millen- 
nium John predicts, is exactly coincident in its 
leading features with the expectations of the 
pious Jews before the coming of Christ. ' ' And 
I here adduce some quotations from ancient 
Jewish writings, so that you may see the opin- 
ion they held in regard to the resurrection of 
the just at the advent of the Messiah. Jonathan 
the Paraphrast who lived about thirty years 
before Christ, says of the people of God, **They 



282 THE EESUEEECTION OF THE JUST. 

shall be gathered from their capacity ; they shall 
live under the shadow of the Messiah ; the dead 
shall rise, and good shall increase in the earth. ' ' 
Uabbi Kimchi says, **The holy blessed God will 
raise the dead, at the time of deliverance. ' ' The 
same author thus quotes an ancient apothegm, 
**The benefit of the rain is common to the just 
and to the unjust, but the resurrection from the 
dead is the peculiar privilege of those who have 
lived righteously. ' ' Eabbi Chabbo says, ^^The 
dead in the land of Israel shall live or be quick- 
ened first in the days of the Messiah, and shall 
enjoy the years of the Messiah. ' ' Eabbi Joch- 
annan says, *^ There are some who study in the 
law as they ought, and those are they who shall 
rise first to everlasting life." A Jewish com- 
ment of the 8th verse of the 25th chapter of 
Isaiah is in these words, * * The world cannot be 
free from guilt, until king Messiah shall come, 
and the blessed God shall raise up those who 
sleep in the dust.'' And ^^Maimonides testifies 
this is the opinion of many Eabbis. ' ' In Yalcut 
Eubeni we read as follows, * ^ Know that we have 
a tradition that when the Messiah with the 
collected captivity shall come to the land of 
Israel, in that day the dead in Christ shall rise 
again." In the Sanhedrin it is written, ** There 
is a tradition in the house of Elias, that the 
righteous whom the blessed God shall raise 
from the dead, shall not return again to the 



THE RESUKRECTION OF THE JUST. 283 

dust, but for the space of a thousand years, in 
which the holv blessed God shall renew the 
world, they shall have wings like the wings 
of eagles, and shall fly above the waters. '' 
These quotations have been gathered by com- 
mentators from the ancient Jewish writings. 
*'No Eabbinical testimony or mere tradition 
is adequate to prove an article of religious 
faith ; but these quotations are not without their 
significance.'' Joseph Mede speaking of them 
wisely says, **I can hardly believe that all this 
smoke of tradition could arise but from some 
fire of truth, anciently made known unto them. 
Besides why should the Holy Ghost on this 
point speak so like them, unless He would induce 
us to mean with them ? In fine the second resur- 
rection with the state of the saints after it, 
seems to have been less known to the ancient 
church of the Jews, than the first resurrection 
and the state to accompany it. ' ' From all this 
then it appears that the Jews believed in a 
resurrection of the just when their Messiah 
should come. In this connection we must recol- 
lect that to them were committed the oracles of 
God. That from their nation exclusively the 
prophets and apostles were taken. That from 
the days of Abraham down to the days of our 
Saviour, they were the only people on the face 
of the earth that had the true worship. That 
Jesus Himself was a Jew. That their learned 



284 THE EESUERECTION OF THE JUST, 

men form their opinions upon these subjects 
from the same Bible that we get ours, and from 
the traditions and commentaries handed down 
from their fathers. Their views then cannot 
be without their value ; and it would be well for 
us to give heed to the testimony of a people 
who were so highly favored of God, to whom 
He committed His truth, and around whom so 
many sacred associations cluster. 

In the New Testament there are also other 
passages besides the text that teach this doc- 
•trine. 

In the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians Paul 
speaks of the resurrection. In it he refers to 
the resurrection of the righteous only. He 
speaks of those who are Christ's being raised 
at His coming. He says moreover, **As we 
have born the image of the earthy, we shall also 
bear the image of the heavenly. '* Now he 
cannot here mean the wicked, for they will 
never bear the image of the heavenly ; and they 
are certainly not Christ's. He goes on to say 
also, **So when this corruptible shall have put 
on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put 
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass 
the saying that is written, Death shall be swal- 
lowed up in victory. ' ' He refers to the saying 
that is written, ''death shall be swallowed up 
in victory. ' ' On turning back to the Old Testa- 
ment we find that this saying is written in the 



THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 285 

25tli chapter of Isaiali, wliicli chapter contains 
a song of praise to the Lord, who has just been 
represented, at the close of the preceding chap- 
ter as coming to reign in Mount Zion, and in 
Jerusalem before His ancients gloriously. In 
that connection these words are used, ^ ^ He will 
swallow up death in victory ; and the Lord God 
will wipe away tears from off all faces ; and the 
rebuke of His people shall He take away from 
off all the earth : for the Lord hath spoken it. ' ' 
Connect now these two passages in Corinthian 
and Isaiah, since the one contains a quotation 
and reference to the other, and we find that 
St. Paul says the resurrection of the just 
described by him happens when death is 
swallowed up in victory, and Isaiah tells us that 
death is swallowed up in victory, when Christ 
comes to wipe away tears from off all faces, and 
shall take away the rebuke of His people from 
off all the earth. Only resurrection of right- 
eous, here spoken of. 

Again in Phil., 3 : 11, Paul speaking of his 
labors and losses for the sake of the Gospel, 
says he suffers and labors, **If by any means 
he might attain unto the resurrection of the 
dead.'' If he refers here to a general resurrec- 
tion there is no meaning in his expression. 
AVhy would he express the hope to attain unto 
the resurrection, when he knew all men would 
be raised? He must mean some special resur- 



286 THE KESURKECTION OF THE JUST. 

rection, to attain which would be a great priv- 
ilege. He therefore evidently had before his 
mind the first resurrection, in which the right- 
eous are raised. And the phraseology of the 
expression sustains this opinion. ' * * If by any 
means I might attain the resurrection from 
among the dead. ' ' That is that resurrection in 
which some are taken out from among the dead, 
and the rest are left. Or in other words the 
first resurrection. 

In the 14th chapter of Luke we are told that 
»Jesus on one occasion went into the house of 
one of the Pharisees to eat bread, and while 
teaching those around Him He gave utterance 
to these words, * ^ When thou makest a feast call 
the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and 
thou shalt be blessed: for they cannot recom- 
pense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at 
the resurrection of the jusf Does not this 
expression of our Lord *' resurrection of the 
just,'' at which those who do righteously shall 
be recompensed, imply that there is another and 
quite a different resurrection of the unjust at 
which no recompense shall be given? It seems 
to me that any candid mind would conclude that 
there was. 

Again in the 20th chapter of Luke 34, 5, 6th 
verses our Saviour uses the following words, 
**The children of this world marry and are 
given in marriage. But they which shall be 



THE KESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 287 

accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the 
resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor 
are given in marriage: Neither can they die 
any more : for they are equal unto the angels ; 
and are the children of God, being the children 
of the resurrection,^' Now take this in the 
sense of a general resurrection, and it leads to 
an absurdity. For then all would be the chil- 
dren of God, since all have part in the 
resurrection : and we know that all are not the 
children of God. But some particular resurrec- 
tion must be meant here because our Saviour 
speaks only of those obtaining it who are 
ivorthy. He must refer then to the resurrection 
of the just. 

^'When we come to sum up all these facts 
and assign them the force which belongs to the 
words of inspiration, the conclusion seems un- 
avoidable, that the doctrine of a twofold resur- 
rection has a solid foundation in Scripture. The 
resurrection of the holy is entirely separated, in 
nature and in point of time, from the resurrec- 
tion of *4he rest of the dead.'' As soon as 
Christ comes the righteous shall be raised. The 
unrighteous and wicked remain in their graves 
till the thousand years are over. 

A word now as to the manner in which the 
dead shall be raised. The Scriptures intimate 
that the saints shall be raised silently without 
noise, and without those who are on the earth 



288 THE RESUKEECTION OF THE JUST. 

knowing it at the time. It is true that Paul 
says, **The trumpet shall sound, and the dead 
shall be raised.'' But the sounding of this 
trumpet is not for living ears. 

It is the dead alone that will hear the voice, 
our Saviour says, ^ ^ The hour is coming and now 
is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the 
Son of God, and they that hear shall live. ' ' But 
those who are alive on the earth will not neces- 
sarily see the dead rise. ^ * No human eye saw 
Jesus rise.'' **And it may be that His saints 
. will ascend one by one, just as quietly as they 
now sleep." Silently the power of God shall 
reach the sleeping dust of His saints. Silently 
they shall arise as did the bodies of the saints 
after our Lord's resurrection. Business and 
pleasure and vice and folly and crime, shall 
pursue their usual rounds. But in due season 
all the sainted dead shall be raised to unite in 
the glory of their Lord when He shall come 
in the clouds of heaven with great power and 
glory. 

Closely connected with this subject of the 
resurrection of the just, is the translation of the 
righteous who are alive upon the earth at 
Christ's coming. These will not die at all. 
But they will be translated like Enoch and 
Elijah were. ** Behold I shew you a mystery," 
says Paul, **We shall not all sleep, but we shall 
all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling 



THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. 289 

of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet 
shall sound and the dead shall be raised incor- 
ruptible, and we shall be changed. * ' * * The dead 
in Christ shall rise first : then we which are alive 
and remain shall be caught up together with 
them.'' **And when the process of the trans- 
lation of the living commences, it will no doubt 
be like the resurrection to which it corresponds. 
It will not be with great pomp and public 
demonstrations, but quietly and in a manner 
hardly understood by those that remain.'' 
From the midst of the occupations of their 
daily life, they will be taken. * * Then shall two 
be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other 
left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill, 
the one shall be taken the other left." But 
no sudden outburst of power — no circumstances 
of terror or of grandeur — shall attend the tak- 
ing. An invisible hand shall be stretched forth 
to take the living saint out of the midst of his 
unbelieving companions. *^In a moment" it 
shall be done. In the twinkling of an eye they 
shall be caught up: and corruption put on in- 
corruption. **And what a thought is this that 
it may be there are some listening to me who 
shall never see death." Those who are Christ's 
at His coming will be caught up to join Him; 
and *^so shall ever be with the Lord." 

Such is the first resurrection and the trans- 
lation. Blessed and holy are those who have 



290 THE RESUREECTION OF THE JUST. 

part in them. But it is only those who are 
Christians who can look forward to this blessed- 
ness. I should be derelict to my duty if I should 
hold out to any one the hope of future happi- 
ness who was not a believer in and follower 
of the Lord Jesus. Only those who receive 
Christ now, will He receive hereafter. Let me 
ask you then friends and brethren, have you 
made your peace with God; have you made 
Jesus Christ your friend and Saviour. If not 
I can hold out to you no expectations of 
happiness. 

Your part will be with those whose resurrec-^ 
tion takes place at the end of the judgment 
period, which promises nothing to be desired. 
Now while you have the opportunity apply to 
Christ to cleanse and save you. He invites 
and entreats you to come, and is ready and 
waiting to receive you. **Come and He who 
laid down His life for you will not deny you a 
hearty welcome." Time is flying: and the 
scenes of the resurrection may be ushered in 
before you are aware. Let not that day 
witness your banishment from the Saviour who 
stretches out His arms to you now. Fly to His 
embrace that He at last may make you a par- 
taker in His joy. 



A (^xmt (HammlBBian 

' ' Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of 
this life."— Acts 5: 20. 

WHEN the Christian church was young 
great numbers of poor were gathered 
into it. **To the poor the Gospel is 
preached," said Jesus. And yet there were 
none among them that lacked : * ^ for as many as 
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, 
and brought the prices of the things that were 
sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: 
and distribution was made unto every man 
according as he had need. ' ' A notable instance 
of such self-denial and Christian charity is 
found in the case of Joses, '*who was of the 
country of Cypress," whose gift of love was 
so marked as to gain special mention in the 
records of the Divine Word. As if to show 
that just as in the number of the apostles who 
were the constant attendants of our Lord, there 
was a Judas, so in the Christian church hypo- 
crites would always be found, until all things 
that do offend are gathered out of the kingdom, 
the statement which tells us of the sweet charity 
of Joses, is immediately followed by the account 

291 



292 A GREAT COMMISSION. 

of the selfishness and duplicity of Ananias and 
Sapphira. They, *^sold a possession, and kept 
back part of the price . . . and brought a 
certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.'' 
But they could not hide their hearts from the 
searching gaze of the Holy Spirit. Their 
grievous sin of lying unto God was detected 
and exposed. Swift and severe, but righteous 
retribution was visited upon them. They fell 
down dead at the apostles' feet, their dead 
bodies taking the place where they should have 
laid their money, and they were carried out 
and buried together. What they were unwilling 
to give to Christ's su:ffering church, God took 
from them by force. 

The punishment meted out to this unhappy 
couple had a marked effect upon the survivors : 
' * Great fear came upon all the church, and upon 
as many as heard these things." But this act 
of severity for the cleansing of the church 
from false and hurtful professors within its 
fold, was immediately followed by miracles of 
clemency and mercy towards those who were 
without, to show *'that however awful the 
manifestations of God's displeasure with the 
wicked may be, He is always ready in His 
infinite mercy to help, to heal, and to save all 
those who seek His face." '*By the hands of 
the apostles were many signs and wonders 
wrought among the people ; inasmuch that they 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 293 

brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid 
them on beds and couches, that at least the 
shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow 
some of them. There came also a multitude 
out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, 
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed 
with unclean spirits: and they were healed 
every one.'' This state of peaceful progress, 
however, did not continue long. Though **the 
people magnified the apostles," the rulers 
looked upon them with an evil eye, and regarded 
their work with anything but satisfaction. Nor 
were they content to leave them unmolested in 
their labors for the good of men. They again 
laid upon them the hand of persecution which 
had been tried before in vain. *'The high 
priest rose up and all that were with him 
(which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were 
filled with indignation, and laid their hands on 
the apostles and put them in the common 
prison." But God showed Himself just as 
ready and able to deliver His people that served 
Him truly as He was to rid His church of 
hypocrites and deceivers. When the ordinary 
means of help failed, extraordinary ones were 
used. * ' The angel of the Lord by night opened 
the prison doors, and brought them forth. ' ' It 
was notably the Sadducees who co-operated 
with the High Priest in this arrest of the 
apostles, the same who said ** there is no resur- 



294 A GBEAT COMMISSION. 

rection, neither angel, nor spirit." It was for 
preaching Jesus and the resurrection, and 
working miracles in the name of their ascended 
Saviour that these faithful ones were cast into 
the common prison, and now the mighty Lord 
of heaven and earth vindicates His truth and 
confounds His enemies through the agency of 
one of those holy beings, whose very existence 
they denied. An angel delivered them. 

Not for flight, however, when danger threat- 
ened, nor for silence as the foe demanded, were 
they delivered. The angel said unto them * * Go, 
stand and speak in the temple to the people, 
all the words of this life." 

How great in the sight of God is the Gospel ! 
Prophets called and endowed by the Holy Spirit 
proclaimed it age after age in the olden time. 
In these latter times it has been spoken unto 
us by God's only begotten Son, made incarnate 
for this very purpose. When He ascends to 
the place of glory and power of God's right 
hand, apostles are chosen and fitted and com- 
missioned for the same blessed work. And 
when the minions of Satan, that old arch 
adversary who at the first deceived and still 
maliciously opposes, rise up to prevent the 
proclamation of the precious evangel, an angel 
is sent to bring them out from their, prison cell 
and recommission them, bidding them **Go, 
stand and speak in the temple to the people 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 295 

all the words of this life.'' So necessary is 
this Gospel for the salvation of the sons of 
men, and loath is God to give them over to their 
sins. From that day to this, as generation 
succeeded generation, men have been called and 
equipped and sent forth with the same commis- 
sion. These words of the angel form the charge 
given to every minister, and will be found to be 
Ms directory in the work He has given him to 
do. The sentence naturally divides itself into 
heads according to the several principal words 
which form it, and it is in this manner that we 
propose to consider it. 

I. The first word of the charge is Go, Min- 
isters are to go out in the performance of their 
mission as the ambassadors of Christ. The 
evangelist Mark tells us in his account of the 
calling of the apostles, that Jesus ordained 
twelve, that they should be with Him, and that 
He might send them forth to preach/' Accord- 
ingly, after His resurrection, just before He 
was taken from them, when He gave them their 
final commission He said, '^Go ye into all the 
world, and preach the Gospel to every crea- 
ture. ' ' It was the same in the former dispensa- 
tion. To Jeremiah God said, **Thou shalt go 
to all that I shall send thee. ' ' Paul aptly asks, 
**How shall they call upon Him in whom they 
have not believed? and how shall they believe 
in Him of whom they have not heard? and how 



296 A GBEAT COMMISSION. 

shall they hear without a preacher? and how 
shall they preach except they be sent ? ' ' There 
must then be a going out on the part of God^s 
ministers before the nations shall hear and 
believe. The word missionaries which is often 
used to designate them implies this — it means 
those sent. 

There should not be a hasty sending, or a 
haste to go. Not every one that is called into 
the kingdom of Christ, is called to preach pub- 
licly for Him. On one occasion while upon 
. earth, a certain man said unto our Lord, **I 
will follow Thee whithersoever thou goest." 
But Jesus saw that He was not a proper person 
to have in such a position, and He frankly 
showed the difficulties of it, and his unfitness 
for it by saying, ** Foxes have holes, and birds 
of the air have nests : but the Son of Man hath 
not where to lay His head." But to another 
He said, * * Follow Me. But he said. Lord, suffer 
me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said 
unto him, Let the dead bury their dead, but 
go thou and preach the kingdom of God. ' ' No 
novice should be received. Hands should be 
laid suddenly on no man. It is not the part 
of wisdom to hustle men into the ministry 
simply because they offer themselves or the 
demand for them is pressing. They should first 
be proved. Previous preparation and training 
and time for inspection into their character 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 297 

and habits and capacity is necessary. Among 
the ancient people of God, schools of the pro- 
phets were established. The apostles were 
under the immediate care and training of our 
Lord, beholding His miracles, listening to His 
words, imbibing His spirit for three years, 
before they are commissioned. Paul says, 
** When it pleased God ... to reveal His Sou 
in me, that I might preach Him among the 
heathen ; immediately I conferred not with flesh 
and blood . . . but I went into Arabia, and 
returned again unto Damascus. Then after 
three years I went up to Jerusalem.'' If he 
needed previous preparation in communion with 
God and the things of God, before starting out 
in his missionary work, who in our day can da 
without it? And something more than this 
even is required. The charge given by Jesus 
to His apostles was, ** Tarry ye in the city of 
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from 
on high." The gifts and graces of the Holy 
Ghost in addition to all his other acquirements, 
are made to make a man a true and successful 
minister of God. Without these he will be but 
a blind leader of the blind — a mere hireling 
that careth not for the sheep, and knoweth not 
how to feed them. 

But when fitted by the help of man and 
endowed of God, the minister is to go out to 
preach the Word. He is to seek in order to 



298 A GKEAT COMMISSION. 

save them that are lost. Out in the highways 
and among the hedges let him go to search 
for the straying. In the cities where men do 
congregate, and in the villages and in private 
houses let him lift up his voice, as his Redeemer 
did before him. If he is called to the ministry 
his Lord has a place for him. If he but con- 
tentedly follow the leadings of Providence he 
will find it, and there he will be happiest and 
most successful. But he must be willing to 
go and labor wherever the Great Head of the 
Church appoints, even though it should be to 
the ends of the earth. 

Another idea contained in this word go must 
not be overlooked. The minister must be satis- 
fied to go out and leave behind him all expecta- 
tions of earthly preferment, all schemes of 
mere earthly ambition, all hopes of earthly 
ease. Yea, he must be ready to suffer the loss 
of all things not only that he may win Christ, 
but that he may preach Christ. The apostles 
forsook their boats and fishing nets. It was 
not much it is true, but it was their all, and 
in its stead they took poverty and persecution, 
bonds and imprisonment, even death itself. 
Jesus said, '*He that loveth father or mother 
more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he 
that loveth son or daughter more than Me is 
not worthy of Me.*' **No man having put his 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 299 

hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for 
the kingdom of God.'' 

2. Stand is the next word in the angePs 
charge to the apostles. Standing is the attitude 
of activity. It is the opposite of reclining, 
which is the posture of rest and sleep. It 
implies readiness to do. The person who stands 
is on the alert, and prepared to move at the 
slightest warning or call. The sentinel stands, 
w^atchful of the open or insidious approach of 
the enemy. The helmsman stands, so as to 
take instant advantage of any favorable or un- 
favorable circumstance, and to guide the vessel 
aright. So the minister is to take his place 
prepared to meet every emergency, and to obey 
every proper call that pertains to his office. 
He is not to be a servant of men in the sense 
of doing their bidding and yielding to their 
demands according as they may wish. The 
world will gladly use him if it can, to promote 
its ends, and self -constituted, imprudent, bung- 
ling reformers will be glad to avail themselves 
of his help if he will give it; and a thousand 
unseemly requests will be made of him if he is 
inclined to please men. To all these he must turn 
a deaf ear, and resolutely but kindly say, no. 
His office is a holy one, and he must not prosti- 
tute it to unholy uses. He is especially the 
servant of God, and stands ready to do His 
will as shown in His Word or indicated in His 



300 A GREAT COMMISSION. 

Providence. When the word is to be preaclied 
or the truth defended; when the weak are to 
be encouraged or the wilful reproved; when 
the poor are to be fed or the suffering relieved ; 
when the young are to be preserved from the 
tempter's wiles, or the dying supported and 
cheered as they pass through the dark valley; 
then is he to be at hand with his ministrations 
of mercy and love, standing up for the help 
of God's children. 

Standing also indicates firmness and boldness. 
When the angel commanded the released apos- 
tles to go stand in the temple, at the very 
place where they had been arrested and where 
they had labored, he meant that they should 
display moral courage before their enemies, and 
steadfastness of mind in their holy calling. 
When Jeremiah was ordained a prophet he said, 
^*Ah! Lord God, behold I cannot speak: for 
I am a little child." But the Lord said unto 
him, **Say not I am a child: for thou shalt 
go to all that I shall send thee, and whatever 
I command thee, thou shalt speak. Be not 
afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to 
deliver thee. ' ' Even the enemies of Jesus bore 
this testimony concerning Him, ** Master we 
know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, 
neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but 
teachest the way of God truly." The apostles 
displayed the same spirit, for when the rulers 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 301 

of the Jews saw their boldness, and perceived 
that they were unlearned and ignorant men, 
they marvelled; and took knowledge of them 
that they had been with Jesus. '^ The great 
apostle to the Gentiles while at Corinth was 
encouraged by the Lord in a vision with these 
words : ^ ^ Be not afraid, but speak and hold not 
thy peace. ' ' ' Afterwards he wrote to Timothy, 
* * God hath not given us the spirit of fear : but 
of power and of love and of a sound mind. Be 
not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of 
our Lord. ^ ' This spirit of holy boldness in the 
face of danger and in the defence of truth that 
should actuate the godly minister, is very differ- 
ent from that of the swaggering *^ brawler,'' 
whose ** profane and vain babbling*' upon 
** foolish and unlearned questions" constantly 
genders strife. It is perfectly consistent with 
that conduct which is ** gentle unto all men; 
patient, in meekness instructing those that 
oppose themselves.'" But it so animates the 
man of God with courageous fervor, that it will 
prosecute its heavenly work in spite of Belial 
and all his forces; that it will give place to 
** false brethren unawares brought in," no, 
not for an hour; and that it will withstand 
iniquity to the face even if found in an apostle. 
3. The angel charged the apostles to stand 
and speak. This indicates the mode in which 
God's gracious purposes are revealed to men. 



302 A GREAT COMMISSION. 

and converts are brought into his kingdom. 
Some there are who, even in our own day, pro- 
fess to receive direct spiritual revelations, and 
would fain persuade men that they are in com- 
munication with the great and good in the 
heavenly world, and that it is by these spiritual 
intelligencies that men are to be guided. That 
they do hold communion with kindred spirits 
we doubt not, and that they are guided by them, 
their lives sufficiently attest, but we beg to be 
excused from believing that these beings are 
either holy or in the heavenly world. An old 
Book that never flatters and has never deceived 
men, and that was written under the inspiration 
of the Holy Spirit, tells us that **In the latter 
times some shall depart from the faith, giving 
heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of 
devils," and we prefer to obey the injunction 
of the apostle John and **Try the spirits 
whether they be of God,'' before yielding to 
their influence. Others there have been who 
have propagated their false religions by the 
power of the sword and have generously given 
men the privilege of choosing between submis- 
sion and death. Very zealous were they in 
gathering followers, but their demoniac spirit 
abundantly shows the source of their inspira- 
tion. And some who called themselves after 
the name of him who would not break the 
bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax, when 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 303 

men would not accept their false teachings 
nor join in their idolatries, have given them 
over to the cruel flames, and quietly stood re- 
joicing while their bodies consumed to ashes. 
Far different from these is the mode of the 
Christian church in dealing with sinners. The 
ambassadors of the Most High are commanded 
simply to speak unto men, whether they will 
hear or whether they will forbear. **It pleased 
God by the foolishness of preaching to save them 
that believe.'' Paul says that Christ sent him 
to *^ preach the Gospel.'' He charges Timothy 
io *' Preach the word: be instant in season, out 
of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long 
suffering and doctrine." He asked the Ephe- 
sian Church to pray for him that utterance 
may be given unto him, that he may open his 
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of 
the Gospel. ' ' He tells the Corinthians, ^ * Seeing 
then that we have such hope, we use great 
plainness of speech." And among the qualifi- 
cations of the servant of the Lord he enum- 
erates '^aptness to teach." The minister of 
God though he *Svalk in the flesh" does ^'not 
war after the flesh," **For the weapons of 
our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through 
God to the pulling down of strongholds. ' ' Just 
as Jesus embraced every opportunity to instruct 
the people, so must His ministers speak His 
word that it may be as the dew unto the church : 



304 A GKEAT COMMISSION. 

that she **may grow as the lily, and cast forth 
her roots as Lebanon/' That her ** branches 
may spread, '^ and her ** beauty be as the olive 
tree. ' ' 

4. The apostles were charged by the angel to 
**Go, stand and speak in the temple/^ They 
were not, therefore, to seek concealment, but 
to make known their message in the most public 
of all public places. The Christian church has 
no unhallowed mysteries that she hides from 
the view of the world, and no suspicious doings 
that may • not see the light, as the heathen 
religions even of enlightened Greece had. Nor 
has she any secrets known only to the initiated, 
nor any furtive ceremonies veiled from public 
gaze, nor any bestowments reserved only for 
the favored few. Her words are for all, into 
her fold all may come, her worship all the world 
may unite in, and her works of beneficence are 
co-extensive with the habitable globe. '* Wis- 
dom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in 
the streets ; she crieth in the chief place of con- 
course, in the openings of the gates ; in the city 
she uttereth the words, saying. How long ye 
simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and . . . 
fools hate knowledge ? ' ' The minister of Christ 
has nothing to suppress, nothing to screen from 
the eye of the most searching inspection. The 
words given him to speak will never ofPend true 
modesty, nor grate harshly on the most sensi- 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 305 

tive feelings. He is to aim to make his tidings 
known in the widest possible manner, as being 
suited to the varied spiritual wants of mankind. 
He is not to aim at notoriety; not to seek to 
attract attention to himself with * * excellency of 
speech'* or ** enticing words of man's wisdom/' 
but by ** manifestation of the truth commend- 
ing'' himself '^to every man's conscience in the 
sight of God. ' ' There are some who have crept 
into the holy office who entertain the gaping 
crowd with foolish *^ talking and jesting," and 
seek to fill their pews by means of theatrical 
displays and buffoonery, that would better be- 
come the mountebank than one appointed to 
speak in the name of the Most High God. Their 
utterances would be silly if it were not that 
they are sinful. No such shameful publicity 
as this should the true preacher court, but with 
all sobriety and earnestness endeavor to in- 
struct men, **if peradventure God will give 
them repentance to the acknowledging of the 
truth." 

Nor need he fear any opposition that the 
widespread proclamation of his message may 
provoke. For his message he need not fear. 
It is God-given and no argument or wit of 
mortal can overturn or weaken one jot or tittle 
of it. Let him renounce * * the hidden things of 
dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor hand- 
ling the word of God deceitfully." Then if 



306 A GEEAT COMMISSION". 

tlie *^ Gospel be Md, it is hid to them that are 
lost : in whom the God of this world hath blinded 
the minds of them which believe not, lest the 
light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is 
the image of God, should shine unto them. ' ' 

For Himself He need not fear. He who said, 
'*Go preach the Gospel to every creature,'' also 
said, ^^All power is given unto Me in heaven 
and in earth . . . lo, I am with you even unto 
the end of the world. " ^ * He shall give His angels 
charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ' ' 
• From the cell of the prison, from the hands of 
malicious rulers, from the power of evil doers, 
they can deliver and will deliver, till the fight 
is over and the course is finished and the crown 
of glory is given. 

5. The next emphatic phrase in the com- 
mission given to the apostles is to the people. 
*'Go, stand and speak in the temple to 
the people. The angel did not say. Speak 
to your own company, but to the people. 
The high priest and the Sadducees had impris- 
oned these men because they did not wish the 
people to hear, hence when released they were 
commanded to go speak to them. It is God's 
intention that His Gospel shall be made known 
to all people. The word of Jesus when He 
sent the apostles forth was, *^Go ye therefore 
and make disciples of all nations. ' ' It behooved 
** Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 307 

the third day; and that repentance and remis- 
sion of sins should be preached in His name 
among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem/' 
All mankind need salvation, and for all mankind 
it has been provided. That fatal temptation of 
Satan, by which our first parents sinned and 
fell, affected the whole race and made all men 
sinners and unfitted them for heaven. Poison 
a spring, and all the waters which flow from it 
will be poisoned. Injure the seed which you 
plant, and the growths that spring from it will 
show the marring. So the first pair, from 
whom all the rest of the children of men have 
sprung, lost their state of blessedness and be- 
came sinful and so under condemnation, and all 
their descendants are necessarily like them. 
Far as the influence of .Satan's evil work has 
gone, must the work of the Eedeemer be able 
to reach. The blessings following from the 
sufferings borne upon the tree of Calvary, must 
at least be co-extensive with the evil influences 
of that fatal eating of the fruit of the tree of 
Eden. The sufferings and death and resurrec- 
tion of Christ have an infinite value, and can 
atone for every one. Christ assumed not the 
person of a man, but of man. He became the 
second Adam and stands at the head of the race. 
The blood of our humanity flows in His veins, 
and that blood has power to cleanse all men 
from all sin. It is the will of God that all should 



308 A GREAT COMMISSION. 

be saved; hence His words, *^God so loved the 
world that He gave His only begotton Son, that 
whosoever believeth in Him might not perish 
but have everlasting life ' ' ; and hence also His 
command, ' * Go preach the Gospel to every crea- 
ture." If every creature do not hear that 
Gospel the fault is not God's but ours, on whom 
rests the duty of making it known according to 
that command. 

There are some who withhold this Word from 
the people, saying that it is injurious to them 
•to have it. And in their preaching they mingle 
tradition and man-made dogmas with the 
inspired word. They show themselves false 
teachers and deceivers of the people, keeping 
from them what God designed they should have, 
and feeding them on husks instead of the sin- 
cere milk of the Word. The humblest and ob- 
scurest as well as the greatest and noblest are 
entitled to all that our heavenly Father merci- 
fully vouchsafes to grant, and he lords it over 
God 's heritage, to their hurt and damage and to 
his own condemnation, who refuses to speak to 
the people as he is commanded. 

6. The last clause in the change of the angel 
is, all the words of this life. **Go, stand and 
speak in the temple unto the people all the words 
of this life.'' To understand clearly what is 
meant by this last clause of the sentence, recur 
again to the circumstances under which it was 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 309 

uttered. The apostles had been preaching 
Christ, and the blessings of eternal life pro- 
cured for us on the cross and conferred on us 
in the Gospel. They had also been performing 
miracles of healing, and so renewing the bodily 
life of men, which was a type of that spiritual 
renewal that Jesus works. For this the Sad- 
ducees, who denied the resurrection and life 
hereafter, had them cast into prison. The angel 
brought them out and charged them to go again 
to the temple where they had preached before 
and speak the words of this life — he must have 
meant life in Christ. 

Christianity is a life. **I am come'' said 
Jesus, that they might have life and that they 
might have it more abundantly." It is a life 
begotten. Man is dead in ** trespasses and 
sins," and must be ** quickened" ere he can be 
made to sit in heavenly places. ''Ze must he 
born again/ ^ said the Saviour. **The wind 
bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the 
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it 
Cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one 
that is born of the Spirit. ' ' This new birth is 
effected by the Holy Spirit through the Word. 
'*0f His own will begat He us with the word 
of truth," says James. '* Being born again, 
not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by 
the word of God, which liveth and abideth for- 
ever. ' ' Hence the appropriateness of the charge 



310 A GKEAT COMMISSION. 

of the angel to the apostles to speak *'all the 
words of this life/" The Gospel has life be- 
getting power. 

Christianity is a life lived as well as a life 
begotten. Christ died for all, that they which 
live should not henceforth live unto themselves, 
but unto Him which died for them and rose 
again." *^I through the law am dead to the 
law," says Paul, **that I might live unto God. 
I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live ; 
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me : and the life 
which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith 
of the Son of God who loved me and gave Him- 
self for me. ' ' Christians are * * a chosen genera- 
tion, " * * a royal priesthood, " * * an holy nation, ' ' 
' ' a peculiar people, ' ' that they may show forth 
the praises of Him who hath called them out 
of darkness into His marvellous light, that they 
may by their good works glorify God. This 
new life is lived by the power of the Holy Ghost 
working by means of the Word. *^ Sanctify 
them through the truth; Thy word is truth"; 
prayed Jesus. *^Ye are clean through the word 
which I have spoken unto you. " * ^ Christ loved 
the church, and gave Himself for it; that He 
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing 
of water by the word. ^^God hath from the 
beginning chosen you to salvation through 
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the 
truth." See, therefore, again the appropriate- 



A GREAT COMMISSION. 311 

ness of the cliarge of the angel to speak unto 
the people the words of this life. 

Christianity is an eternal life bestowed, as 
well as a life begotten, and lived. **My sheep 
hear My voice, ' ' said Jesus, * * and I knew them 
and they follow Me: and I give unto them 
eternal life, and they shall never perish. " * ^ He 
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. ' ' 
This is the will of the Father, * ^ That every one 
which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him 
might have everlasting life,'^ yea He is the 
'^resurrection and the life,'^ he that believeth 
in Him, ** though he were dead yet shall he 
live.'* **The wages of sin is death; but the 
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ 
our Lord.'' This eternal life is promised and 
given to us through the Word of God, and is 
secured by our belief and reception of that 
word. See again the appropriateness of the 
charge of the angel. 

And the apostles were instructed to speak 
\^all the words of this life." It is prophesied 
that **the time will come,'' and has it not al- 
ready come ? when men, ' * will not endure sound 
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they 
heap to themselves teachers, having itching 
ears : and they shall turn away their ears from 
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ' ' It 
was the comfort of the great apostle to the 
Gentiles that with a clear conscience he could 



312 A GEEAT COMMISSION. 

say, **I have kept back nothing that was profit- 
able for you, ^ ' and that when he knew that those 
among whom he had gone preaching the king- 
dom of God, would see his face no more, he 
could boldly ^^take them to record,'' that he 
was pure from the blood of all men, and had 
**not shunned to declare all the counsel of God." 
However materialists may oppose amid the 
thickening troubles of these ungodly days ; how- 
ever distasteful it may be to the carnal mind; 
however scorners may jest and sneer; the am- 
bassador of God must boldly deliver unto the 
people, all that they have received of the Lord. 
How responsible, but how glorious then is 
the ministerial office. The minister stands to 
plead with men from God. His message is 
freighted with life! everlasting life! **Who is 
sufficient for these things ? ' ' His consolation is 
**that God hath chosen the weak things of the 
world to confound the things that are mighty. ' ' 
Oh! let him be faithful, and *^do the work of 
an evangelist," and **make full proof of his 
ministry," and his reward will be great. To 
the apostles it was promised that in the regen- 
eration **when the Son of Man shall sit in 
the throne of His glory, they should sit upon 
twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of 
Israel. ' ' An older promise declares * ' They that 
turn many to righteousness shall shine as the 
stars forever and ever." 



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